Middle English Dictionary Entry
oyer n.
Entry Info
| Forms | oyer n. Also oier & (error) oye. |
| Etymology | AF oyer, CF öir, oier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Law (a) A criminal hearing under a commission of oyer and terminer; ~ determiner; on eire of an ~, on circuit under a commission of oyer and terminer; (b) ~ and terminer (determiner), a judicial procedure, regulated by commissioners appointed by the king, for determining guilt and assessing punishment or damages for various crimes under special circumstances.
Associated quotations
a
- (1469) Paston (EETS)1.545 : Hys jugys sat on the oyeer determyner in Norwyche.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)211 : Before þat kynned ȝour Criste by Cristen acounte A þousande ȝere and þritty mo..I was an [?read: on] heire of anoye [?read: an oyer] in þe New Troie.
b
- [ (1278) RParl.1.3b : A nostre Seignur le Roy, e a son Conseil, monstre Roberd Agulun..et Thomas de Sandwich, furent assignes Justices de enquere, oyer, e terminer..ques maufessures aveyent curru en la fraunche Chace. ]
- [ (c1290) Britton 1 (Lamb 403)p.3 : Estre ceo volums nous qe Justices errauntz soint assignetz de mesmes les chapitres oyer et terminer en chescun counte..de vii aunz en vii aunz. ]
- (1414) RParl.4.58a : The forseide Priour and Chanons hav pursued aȝeyns us a Commission of oyer and termyner.
- (1433) RParl.4.458a : Upon which Riot aforsaid, was graunted to your said Oratours writtes of Oyer and Termyner, the which wer respited by the trete of Richard Erle of Sarisbury, at the instance of the said Commons made to the said Erle, in whome all the said riot, offenses, trespaces, and cleymes were fully put.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.273 : Þe chief juges beth assigned to go..& sitt upon an oier & terminer.
- (1449) Let.Garneys in SIANH 4 (Add 19112)95 : Whereupon I toke an oyer & determyner agenst them, as my lerned counsel gaf me.
- (1455) RParl.5.332b : Tyll your Commission of Oier and Determyner be direct to endifferent Commissioners, to enquere, here, and determine all the premisses.
- (1455) RParl.5.333b : Al Justicez of Assisez, Justicez of Oyer and Determiner, Justicez of Gaole Delyvere, Justicez of the Peax.