HEARSAY Meaning and
Definition
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Hearsay is a term used in legal contexts, referring to a type of evidence that is based on information heard from someone else, rather than from direct personal knowledge or experience. In simple terms, it refers to testimonial evidence that consists of statements made by someone other than the person testifying. Hearsay evidence is generally considered less reliable and less credible compared to firsthand evidence.
According to the legal doctrine, hearsay is typically excluded as evidence in judicial proceedings, as it may lead to inaccuracies and potential misrepresentation. The rationale behind this exclusion is based on the belief that allowing hearsay evidence would violate the right of the opposing party to cross-examine the original declarant, undermining the principle of confrontation.
There are, however, a few exceptions to the hearsay rule. These exceptions arise when the testimony falls within certain defined categories, such as statements relating to the declarant's present state of mind, spontaneous utterances made under the stress of an event, or business records created in the ordinary course of business. These exceptions aim to ensure the reliability and trustworthiness of the hearsay evidence.
To summarize, hearsay is the information or statement based on what someone else has said, rather than on the firsthand knowledge of the person presenting it. It is generally excluded as evidence in legal proceedings due to concerns about its reliability, except when it falls within specific exceptions defined by law.
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Report; rumour; common talk.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HEARSAY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HEARSAY
Etymology of HEARSAY
The word "hearsay" originated from the Middle English term "heresay", which was derived from the Anglo-French word "oier dire", meaning "to hear" and "to say". The term was first recorded in the 15th century and referred to information or statements that were heard from someone else, rather than from firsthand knowledge or personal observation. Over time, "oier dire" evolved into "hearsay", keeping its essential meaning intact.
Similar spelling words for HEARSAY
- heroics,
- hears,
- Hersh,
- hearse,
- HERZ,
- Hers,
- hersey,
- heresy,
- hershey,
- HERAS,
- hausa,
- heiress.
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