certiorari

[ sur-shee-uh-rair-ahy, -rair-ee ]

noun

, Law.

1. a writ issuing from a superior court calling up the record of a proceeding in an inferior court for review.

certiorari

/ ˌsɜːtɪɔːˈrɛəraɪ /

noun

1. law an order of a superior court directing that a record of proceedings in a lower court be sent up for review See also mandamus prohibition

Word History and Origins

Origin of certiorari¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin: “to be informed, certified,” literally, “made surer,” passive infinitive of certiōrāre “to inform,” verbal derivative of certior, comparative of certus “sure”; so called because the passive infinitive form occurred in the Latin original; certain

Word History and Origins

Origin of certiorari¹

C15: from legal Latin: to be informed

Example Sentences

On Monday, the court denied certiorari in cases dealing with Alabama’s draconian frozen embryo ruling, abortion access in Guam, and Texas’ challenge to federal requirements to provide emergency abortion care.

From Slate

Late last year, the administration petitioned for certiorari with the U.S.

From Slate

And if the Court of Appeals’ decision is adverse to Trump, he could then file a petition for certiorari in the U.S.

From Slate

With the Supreme Court granting certiorari to Donald Trump on his immunity claims regarding the January 6th trial in Washington, we have reached a historic moment.

From Salon

A denial of certiorari could mean a DC trial before federal district court Judge Tanya Chutkan as early as mid-April.

From Salon