Main Entry: ha·be·as cor·pus

Pronunciation: \ˈhā-bē-əs-ˈkȯr-pəs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, you should have the body (the opening words of the writ)

Date: 15th century

1 : any of several common-law writs issued to bring a party before a court or judge; especially : habeas corpus ad subjiciendum
2 : the right of a citizen to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as a protection against illegal imprisonment