The Collaborative International Dictionary
Oyer \O"yer\, n. [Anglo F., a hearing, from OF. o["i]r, F.
ou["i]r, to hear, L. audire. See Audible.] (Law)
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.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context legal archaic English) A commission under which a court is empowered to hear and determine a criminal case. 2 (context legal archaic English) The hearing or trial carried out under such authority.
Wikipedia
In English law, Oyer and terminer (; a partial translation of the Anglo-French oyer et terminer which literally means "to hear and to determine") was the Law French name for one of the commissions by which a judge of assize sat. The commission was also known by the Law Latin name audiendo et terminando.
By the commission of oyer and terminer the commissioners (in practice the judges of assize, though other persons were named with them in the commission) were commanded to make diligent inquiry into all treasons, felonies and misdemeanours whatever committed in the counties specified in the commission, and to hear and determine the same according to law. The inquiry was by means of the grand jury; after the grand jury had found the bills of indictment submitted to it, the commissioners proceeded to hear and determine by means of the petit jury. The words oyer and terminer were also used to denote the court which had jurisdiction to try offences within the limits to which the commission of oyer and terminer extended.
Usage examples of "oyer and terminer".
The Commission of Oyer and Terminer literally meant to hear and determine.
Now the clerk of the assize would be calling all those who had business before his Lady the Queen's Justices of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery for the Jurisdiction of the High Court to draw near and give their attention.
There was much in the Essex County records about Keziah Mason's trial, and what she had admitted under pressure to the Court of Oyer and Terminer had fascinated Gilman beyond all reason.
The Tryal of Bridget Bishop,[127] alias Oliver, At the Court of Oyer and Terminer Held at Salem, June, 2, 1692.
The Tryal of Susanna Martin,[130] At the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held by Adjournment at Salem, June 29, 1692.
The Trial of Elizabeth How,[134] at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held by Adjournment at Salem, June 30, 1692.
Commission of Oyer and Terminer literally meant to hear and determine.
The insignia was declared illegal in 1731 by Deputy Governor William Clark, presiding officer of the Court of Oyer and Terminer.