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oyer

noun
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oy·​er | \ ˈȯiər \
plural -s

Definition of oyer

1 : a criminal trial held under a commission of oyer and terminer
2a : 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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History and Etymology for oyer

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

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Cite this Entry

“Oyer.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oyer. Accessed 28 January 2020.

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