oyer

noun

oy·​er
ˈȯiər
plural -s
1
: a criminal trial held under a commission of oyer and terminer
2
a
: the hearing of a document read in court
specifically : the hearing of a deed or other instrument read in court by petition of a party to a suit
b
: a copy of the instrument given rather than read to the petitioning party

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Old French oir to hear, from Latin audire

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Dictionary Entries Near oyer

Cite this Entry

“Oyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oyer. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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