certiorari

American  

[sur-shee-uh-rair-ahy, -rair-ee] / ˌsɜr ʃi əˈrɛər aɪ, -ˈrɛər i /

noun

Law.

1. a writ issuing from a superior court calling up the record of a proceeding in an inferior court for review.

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certiorari British  

/ ˌsɜːtɪɔːˈrɛəraɪ /

noun

1. law an order of a superior court directing that a record of proceedings in a lower court be sent up for review See also mandamus prohibition

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Etymology

Origin of certiorari

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin: “to be informed, certified,” literally, “made surer,” passive infinitive of certiōrāre “to inform,” verbal derivative of certior, comparative of certus “sure”; so called because the passive infinitive form occurred in the Latin original; see certain

Example Sentences

Yes, sir! his abominable, trashy, revolting poem, called—'The Rise and Progress of the Certiorari.'

From The Last of the Foresters Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia Frontier by Cooke, John Esten

"It is on the prosaic and repulsive subject of the Certiorari."

From The Last of the Foresters Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia Frontier by Cooke, John Esten

"The Certiorari, did you say, sir?" she asked.

From The Last of the Foresters Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia Frontier by Cooke, John Esten

He therefore prays for a writ of Certiorari.

From The Writings of Abraham Lincoln — Volume 2: 1843-1858 by Lincoln, Abraham

On the 10th of November, 1724, he was by Certiorari removed to the bar of the Court of King's Bench, at Westminster.

From Lives of the Most Remarkable Criminals Who have been Condemned and Executed for Murder, the Highway, Housebreaking, Street Robberies, Coining or other offences by Hayward, Arthur L.