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What does figurative language mean?

What language does the legal expression "voir dire" come from, and what does it mean literally?

  • The process of jury selection in the U.S. is referred to as "voir dire;" can anyone tell me what language this expression comes from and what the two words mean, literally, in that language? Thank you for your help. Joe Conrad

  • Answer:

    "Voir" is french for "to see" and "Dire" is french for "to speak". This loosely translates into "tell what you see" and since "eyes don't lie" the expression is interpreted to mean "speak the truth" PS: to the other posters: It's not latin! learn basic French :P

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The phrase "voir dire" derives from Middle French; in modern English it is interpreted to mean "speak the truth" and generally refers to the process by which prospective jurors are questioned about their backgrounds and potential biases before being invited to sit on a jury.

Piroska

Latin. I think it means Open View. But I am probably wrong and will be vilified shortly. Well I tried.

somebody else

It's french... and I think that voir means to see and dire means to speak... maybe... but I could be wrong.

Arsh

The phrase "voir dire" derives from Middle French; in modern English it is interpreted to mean "speak the truth".

kittens

Yes, latin for To See Before, and it means that the defense and the prosecution get to review and participate in the process of Jury Selection from a random pool, as opposed to a truly random selection of jurors.

Charles D

It's Latin and I it means "To speak the truth." It's not just used in jury selection but in any pre-examination of a juror, witness, or expert. It is a preliminary examination into who the person is and how he knows what he claims to know for the purposes of determining whether the person should be allowed a place in the trial.

Loss Leader

It comes from French and it means "to speak the truth"

Princess

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