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Synonyms

compurgation

American  
[kom-per-gey-shuhn] / ˌkɒm pərˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. an early common-law method of trial in which the defendant is acquitted on the sworn endorsement of a specified number of friends or neighbors.

compurgation British  
/ ˌkɒmpɜːˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

  1. law (formerly) a method of trial whereby a defendant might be acquitted if a sufficient number of persons swore to his innocence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • compurgator noun
  • compurgatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of compurgation

1650–60; < Medieval Latin compurgātiōn- (stem of compurgātiō ), equivalent to com- com- + purgāt ( us ) (past participle of purgāre to purge ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The persons brought forward to take this oath were known as compurgators, or "co-swearers," and the legal act thus performed was called compurgation.

From A Source Book of Medi?val History Documents Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance by Ogg, Frederic Austin

There was no trial by compurgation, which was abolished by Henry.

From Our Legal Heritage by Reilly, S. A.

Trial by jury, origin of; by battle; by compurgation.

From Popular Law-making by Stimson, Frederic Jesup

Trover gradually supplants detinue, in which there is compurgation.

From Our Legal Heritage : 600-1776 King Aethelbert - King George III by Reilly, S. A.

The form of the oath which she was to swear was then communicated to her and the day for the compurgation fixed.

From Grettir the Strong, Icelandic Saga by Unknown

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.