oyer and terminer

noun

oy·​er and ter·​mi·​ner ˌȯi-ər-ən(d)-ˈtər-mə-nər 

1

: a commission authorizing a British judge to hear and determine a criminal case at the assizes

2

: a high criminal court in some U.S. states

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, partial translation of Anglo-French oyer et terminer, literally, to hear and determine

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1