compurgator

[ kom-per-gey-ter ]

noun

1. a person who vouches for the innocence and truthful testimony of another.

Word History and Origins

Origin of compurgator¹

1525–35; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to compurgā ( re ) ( compurgation ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

The defense team sees Tantawi as a compurgator, or a witness whose testimony would exonerate Mubarak.

From Reuters

A compurgator swore that "By the Lord, the oath is clean and unperjured which … has sworn."

From Project Gutenberg

The head of a homestead was an aire, a representative freeman capable of acting as a witness, compurgator and bail.

From Project Gutenberg

The compurgator slides into the witness and the juryman, bringing with him the oath on the Bible and trial for perjury, and the feed champion of the Church into the patron.

From Project Gutenberg

My Adversary himself, now drawing to a conclusion, seems to be inclining to good opinions: and as dying men, are much given to repentance, so finding his cause at the last gasp, he unburthens his Conscience and disclaims the principles of a Common-wealth, both for himself, and for both Houses of Parliament, which is indeed to be over-officious: for one of the Houses will not think they have need of such a Compurgator.

From Project Gutenberg