assize
noun
as·size ə-ˈsīz 
1
a
: a judicial inquest
b
: an action to be decided by such an inquest, the writ for instituting it, or the verdict or finding rendered by the jury
2
a
: the former periodical sessions of the superior courts in English counties for trial of civil and criminal cases —usually used in plural
b
: the time or place of holding such a court, the court itself, or a session of it —usually used in plural
Word History
Etymology
Middle English assise, from Anglo-French, session, legal action, from asseer, asseoir to seat, from Vulgar Latin *assedēre, from Latin assidēre to sit beside, assist in the office of a judge, from ad- + sedēre to sit — more at sit
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
- black mangrove
- black maple
- black margate
- Black Maria
- black mark
- black market
- black marketeer
- black marketeering
- black marketeerings
- black marketer
- black marketers
- black marlin
- Black Mass
- black measles
- black medic
- black mercury
- Black Miao
- black miaos
- black mica
- black mint
- Black Mission fig
- black mollie
- black mollienisia
- Black Monday
- black money