eyre

¹ American  

[air] / ɛər /

noun

Old English Law.

1. a circuit made by an itinerant judge justice in eyre in medieval England.

2. a county court held by a justice in eyre.

---

Eyre ² American  

[air] / ɛər /

noun

1. Lake, a shallow salt lake in S South Australia. 3,430 sq. mi. (8,885 sq. km).

---

Eyre ¹ British  

/ ɛə /

noun

1. Edward John. 1815–1901, British explorer and colonial administrator. He was governor of Jamaica (1864–66) until his authorization of 400 executions to suppress an uprising led to his recall

2. Sir Richard. born 1943, British theatre director: director of the Royal National Theatre (1988–97)

---

eyre ² British  

/ ɛə /

noun

1. any of the circuit courts held in each shire from 1176 until the late 13th century

2. the justices travelling on circuit and presiding over such courts

---

Eyre ³ British  

/ ɛə /

noun

1. a shallow salt lake or salt flat in NE central South Australia, about 11 m (35 ft) below sea level, divided into two areas (North and South); it usually contains little or no water. Maximum area: 9600 sq km (3700 sq miles)

---

Etymology

Origin of eyre

1250–1300; Middle English eyre < Anglo-French; Old French erre, derivative of errer to journey; err

Example Sentences

They were red eyre, homicidal, terrific, seeming actually to give out light They were like rubies filled with flame.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Eyre, ār, n. a journey or circuit: a court of itinerant justices.—Justices in eyre, itinerant judges who went on circuit.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

The justices in eyre gradually ceased to perform administrative duties on their eyres because landed society had objected to their intrusiveness.

From Our Legal Heritage by Reilly, S. A.

"Yes, I be, Mutter," retorted Minna, with a tightening of the lips and a light in her eyre.

From How To Write Special Feature Articles A Handbook for Reporters, Correspondents and Free-Lance Writers Who Desire to Contribute to Popular Magazines and Magazine Sections of Newspapers by Bleyer, Willard Grosvenor

The three royal courts and justices in eyre all drew from the same small group of royal justices.

From Our Legal Heritage by Reilly, S. A.