compurgation

American  

[kom-per-gey-shuhn] / ˌkɒm pərˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an early common-law method of trial in which the defendant is acquitted on the sworn endorsement of a specified number of friends or neighbors.

---

compurgation British  

/ ˌkɒmpɜːˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. law (formerly) a method of trial whereby a defendant might be acquitted if a sufficient number of persons swore to his innocence

---

Other Word Forms

• compurgator noun
• compurgatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of compurgation

1650–60; < Medieval Latin compurgātiōn- (stem of compurgātiō ), equivalent to com- com- + purgāt ( us ) (past participle of purgāre to purge ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

On the other hand, fines were to be assessed according to local custom; compurgation was retained for unimportant cases and inheritances were to remain divisible among all heirs male.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 06 (From Barbarossa to Dante) by Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis)

Trover gradually supplants detinue, in which there is compurgation.

From Our Legal Heritage : 600-1776 King Aethelbert - King George III by Reilly, S. A.

But experience having shown that this method of trial was tumultuary and uncertain, they corrected it by the idea of compurgation.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

Tithings and the process of compurgation came to the assistance of other criminals, but the ceorl could appeal to none, and expect neither pity nor aid.

From Legal Lore Curiosities of Law and Lawyers by Various

They also introduced a barbarous system of trial, that by compurgation, i.e. exculpation by the oath of the defendant supported by a certain number of cojurantes, and that by ordeal, later called judicium Dei.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 8 "France" to "Francis Joseph I." by Various

Related Words

• exoneration
• revenge