com·pur·ga·tion (k m p r-g  shn)n. A method of trial in which an accused person could summon a specified number of people, usually 12, to swear to their belief in his or her innocence. [Late Latin comp  rgti , comprgtin-, complete purification, from Latin comprgtus, past participle of comprgre, to purify completely : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + prgre, to purify; see peu- in Indo-European roots.] |
compurgation [ˌkɒmpɜːˈgeɪʃən]
n
(Law) Law (formerly) a method of trial whereby a defendant might be acquitted if a sufficient number of persons swore to his innocence
[from Medieval Latin compurgātiō, from Latin compurgāre to purify entirely, from com- (intensive) + purgāre to purge]
compurgator n
compurgatory , compurgatorial adj
compurgation
formerly, in common law, acquittal on the basis of endorsement by the friends or neighbors of the accused. Also called trial by wager of law. — compurgator, n. — compurgatory, adj.
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