Assize
/əˈsaɪz/noun
A judicial session or court set to hear cases.
Did you know?In medieval England, assizes were often held in remote locations, bringing justice to the people but also a sense of dread, as they could lead to swift executions.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
assidere
“to sit beside, to sit in judgment”
Old French
Old French
assise
“a sitting, court session”
13th Century
Middle English
assise
“a court session or assembly”
Modern English
English
assize
“a periodical court for the trial of cases, especially in the context of criminal justice”