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 subjiciendum2: the right of a citizen to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as a protection against illegal imprisonment