COMPURGATOR Meaning and
Definition
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A compurgator, in historical legal contexts, was an individual who provided testimony or swore an oath to support the credibility or innocence of an accused person. The word originated from the Latin word "compurgator" meaning "one who takes an oath together." In judicial proceedings, especially during the medieval and early modern periods, compurgation was a method of defense where the accused person would gather a group of compurgators to vouch for their honor and truthfulness.
Typically, when someone was charged with a crime or faced legal accusations, they would call upon their peers, family members, or other reputable individuals to act as compurgators. These compurgators would stand as witnesses, publicly swearing to the accused person's innocence or good character. The number of compurgators required would vary depending on the severity of the crime and the legal jurisdiction. Often, compurgators were required to be of a certain social status or have a predetermined level of standing within the community.
The role of a compurgator was vital in influencing the outcome of a trial or legal dispute. Their testimony was considered paramount in establishing the credibility and reliability of the accused person's character. The system of compurgation relied heavily on the assumption that people of good standing and reputation would not perjure themselves or stand as compurgators for someone they believed to be guilty.
Over time, as legal systems evolved and became more structured and dependent on evidence, the practice of compurgation diminished and was eventually abolished. The concept of compurgator, therefore, belongs to legal history and serves as a reminder of past methods of establishing credibility within judicial systems.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for COMPURGATOR
- xompurgator
- vompurgator
- fompurgator
- dompurgator
- cimpurgator
- ckmpurgator
- clmpurgator
- cpmpurgator
- c0mpurgator
- c9mpurgator
- conpurgator
- cokpurgator
- cojpurgator
- comourgator
- comlurgator
- com-urgator
- com0urgator
- compyrgator
- comphrgator
- compjrgator
Etymology of COMPURGATOR
The word "compurgator" originated from the combination of two Latin components: "com-" meaning "together" or "with", and "purgo" meaning "to clear" or "acquit". The term "compurgator" emerged in medieval Europe during the system of trial by ordeal, where individuals accused of crimes could be acquitted if a certain number of their peers vouched for their trustworthiness. These individuals were known as "compurgators" as they helped the accused in clearing their name or purging the allegations against them. Over time, the term has evolved and is now mostly used in historical or legal contexts to refer to those who provide testimonial support in favor of someone accused of a crime.
