compurgator
compurgator · compurgators
Someone who vouches for another person's innocence, trustworthiness etcSomeone who vouches for another person's innocence, trustworthiness etc.: A character witness in canon law who swore an oath that the accused was innocent.
Meaning
2 sensesSomeone who vouches for another person's innocence, trustworthiness etc.
(historical)A character witness in canon law who swore an oath that the accused was innocent.
(historical)An ‘oath-helper’ in Anglo-Saxon or Germanic law who testified to the character of an accused person.
Origin
From Medieval Latin compurgator or Middle French compurgateur, from Latin compurgō (“to puFrom Medieval Latin compurgator or Middle French compurgateur, from Latin compurgō (“to purify”).
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Forms
plural: compurgators| Singular | compurgator |
|---|---|
| Plural | compurgators |
regular
Word family
3 related wordsDerivedcompurgatorial