OYER

Etymology

Noun

oyer (uncountable)

(legal, archaic) A hearing in a civil case which is based on the content of a document, in which the plaintiff is required to produce the document.

Usage notes

• A defendant who formally asks for oyer is said to crave oyer.

Anagrams

• Roye, yero, yore

Source: Wiktionary


O"yer, n. Etym: [Anglo F., a hearing, from OF. oĂŻr, F. ouĂŻr, to hear, L. audire. See Audible.] (Law)

Definition: A hearing or an inspection, as of a deed, bond, etc., as when a defendant in court prays oyer of a writing. Blackstone. Oyer and terminer (Law), a term used in England in commissions directed to judges of assize about to hold court, directing them to hear and determine cases brought before them. In the U.S. the phrase is used to designate certain criminal courts.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”


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