oyer

[ oh-yer, oi-er ]

noun

, Law.

1. oyer and terminer.
2. a hearing in open court involving the production of some document pleaded by one party and demanded by the other, the party pleading the document being said to make profert.

oyer

/ ɔɪə /

noun

1. English legal history (in the 13th century) an assize
2. (formerly) the reading out loud of a document in court
3. See oyer and terminer

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyer¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French; Old French oïr to hear < Latin audīre

Example Sentences

Photographer, artist, musician and diva Tyler Matthew Oyer and I popped around the scene, where Oyer captured moments backstage and on the runway that reverberated with heat and intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times

“Mr. Harris is embarrassed by his conduct and sincerely apologizes for the harm he has caused,” Harris’ attorney, federal public defender Elizabeth Oyer, told The Baltimore Sun after his plea hearing.

From Seattle Times

Younger doctors may not know Poppema’s name, said Deborah Oyer, medical director of Cedar River Clinics, but “she has somehow impacted every provider in Seattle’s ability to do abortions.”

From Seattle Times

Drs. Oyer and Prager both agree.

From Seattle Times

It was only a few weeks ago — on April 10 — that Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed someone to the post: Elizabeth G. Oyer, who previously served as senior litigation counsel in the federal defender’s office in Maryland.

From Washington Post