Oyez

Oyez
This article is about the Anglo-Norman word still used as a tradition in law. For the website, see Oyez.org.

Oyez (pronounced /ˈoʊjɛs/ (with an ess sound)[citation needed], /ˈoʊjeɪ/) is a traditional interjection said three times in succession to introduce the opening of a court of law in the United States.

Until the 18th century, speaking English in an English court of law was not required and one could instead use Law French, a form of French that evolved after the Norman Conquest, when Anglo-Norman became the language of the upper classes in England.

Oyez descends from the Anglo-Norman oyez, the plural imperative form of oyer, from French ouïr, "to hear"; thus oyez means "hear ye" and was used as a call for silence and attention. It would have been common in medieval England.

The term is still in use by the Supreme Court of the United States. At the beginning of each session, the marshal of the Court (Court Crier) announces: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!" [1]

The phrase is also in use in other federal courts, such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, as well as the courts of Virginia.

The interjection is also traditionally used by town criers to attract the attention of the public to public proclamations.

See also

References

  1. ^ Court Terms & Traditions, PBS

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • oyez — /ō yez, yā, yes; ō ˌ/ vb imper [Anglo French oyez! hear ye!, from Old French oiez oyez, imperative plural of oir to hear, from Latin audire] used by a court officer (as a bailiff) to gain the attention of people present at the commencement of a… …   Law dictionary

  • Oyez — O yez ([=o] y[e^]s ; 277), interj. [Anglo F. oyez hear ye. See {Oyer}.] Hear; attend; a term used by criers of courts to secure silence before making a proclamation. It is repeated three times. [Written also {oyes}.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • oyez — early 15c., from Anglo Fr. oyez hear ye! (late 13c., O.Fr. oiez), a cry uttered (usually thrice) to call attention, from L. subjunctive audiatis, pl. imperative of audire to hear (Anglo Fr. oier; see AUDIENCE (Cf. audience)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • oyez — or oyes [ō′yes΄] interj. [ME < Anglo Fr, hear ye, pl. imper. of oyer < L audire, to hear: see AUDIENCE] hear ye; attention: usually cried out three times by court or public officials to command silence before a proclamation is read n. a cry …   English World dictionary

  • öyez — öyez, övez, bir çeşit sivrisinek I, 84 …   Divan-i Luqat-i it-Türk Dizini

  • oyez — (also oyes) ► EXCLAMATION ▪ a call given by a public crier or a court officer to command silence and attention before an announcement. ORIGIN Old French, hear! , from Latin audire to hear …   English terms dictionary

  • oyez — I. verb imperative Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French, hear ye, imperative plural of oir to hear, from Latin audire more at audible Date: 15th century used by a court or public crier to gain attention before a proclamation II. noun… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • oyez — /oh yes, oh yez/, interj. 1. hear! attend! (a cry uttered usually twice by a court officer to command silence and attention, as before court is in session, and formerly by public criers). n. 2. a cry of oyez. Also, oyes. [1375 1425; late ME < AF …   Universalium

  • oyez — o·yez || əʊ jes , z n. exclamation of oyez interj. Listen!; Quiet! …   English contemporary dictionary

  • oyez — [əʊ jɛs, jɛz, jeɪ] (also oyes) exclamation a call given by a public crier or a court officer to command silence and attention before an announcement. Origin ME: from OFr. oiez!, oyez! hear! , imperative plural of oir, from L. audire hear …   English new terms dictionary

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