justiciar

[ juh-stish-ee-er ]

noun

1. a high judicial officer in medieval England.
2. the chief political and judicial officer in England from the reign of William I to that of Henry III.
3. justiciary ( def 2 ).

justiciar

/ dʒʌˈstɪʃɪˌɑː /

noun

1. English legal history the chief political and legal officer from the time of William I to that of Henry III, who deputized for the king in his absence and presided over the kings' courts Also calledjusticiary

Derived Forms

• jusˈticiarˌship, noun

Other Words From

• jus·tici·ar·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of justiciar¹

1475–85; < Medieval Latin jūsticiārius justiciary

Example Sentences

Justiciar, the citizens permitted to elect their own, i, 43.

From Project Gutenberg

He received a legatine commission, and became sole justiciar.

From Project Gutenberg

Headed by the new justiciar, Hugh Bigod, they besieged Wolvesey.

From Project Gutenberg

But his lordship, Justiciar-General, upbye, has sent his provost-marshal with letters of arrest to the place in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

A Justiciar was an official who exercised the power of government in a judicial manner.

From Project Gutenberg