voir dire

[ vwahr deer; French vwar deer ]
/ ˈvwɑr ˈdɪər; French vwar ˈdir /

noun Law.

an oath administered to a proposed witness or juror by which he or she is sworn to speak the truth in an examination to ascertain his or her competence.
the examination itself.

Origin of voir dire

1670–80; < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French voir true, truly + dire to say

Words nearby voir dire

British Dictionary definitions for voir dire

voir dire
/ (vwɑː ˈdɪə) /

noun law

the preliminary examination on oath of a proposed witness by the judge
the oath administered to such a witness

Word Origin for voir dire

C17: from Old French: to speak the truth