anacrisis

noun

an·​a·​cri·​sis

ˌanəˈkrīsə̇s

plural anacrises

-īˌsēz

: an investigation of truth in a civil law case in which the interrogation and inquiry are often accompanied by torture

Word History

Etymology

Greek anakrisis examination of the parties concerned in a lawsuit, from anakrinein to examine, interrogate, from ana- + krinein to choose, determine, separate

First Known Use

circa 1773, in the meaning defined above

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