audita querela

noun

au·​di·​ta que·​re·​la

au̇¦dētəkwəˈrālə

: a largely disused or abolished common-law writ lying for a party against whom judgment is recovered but to whom facts constituting a good basis for discharge have subsequently accrued or become possible that could not have been availed of to prevent such judgment

Word History

Etymology

Latin, the complaint having been heard

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

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