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oyer

noun oy·er \ ˈȯiər \

Definition of oyer

plural -s
1 : a criminal trial held under a commission of oyer and terminer
2 a : the hearing of a document read in court; specifically : the hearing of a deed or other instrument read in court by petition of a party to a suit
b : a copy of the instrument given rather than read to the petitioning party

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Origin and Etymology of oyer

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Old French oir to hear, from Latin audire

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