brehon

noun bre·hon \ ˈbrēˌhän , biˈrehu̇v \

Definition of brehon

plural -s

: one of a class of lawyers in ancient Ireland with power to serve as jurist and referee but without power to enforce decisions

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Origin and Etymology of brehon

Irish Gaelic breitheamh judge, from Old Irish brithem, from breth act of bearing, judgment; akin to Old Irish biru I bear, Old English beran to bear