billa vera
English
editEtymology
editFrom the Latin, literally "the bill is true".
Noun
edit- (law) Signifying that a presenter has furnished probable evidence, and is worthy of further consideration, presented to a party to indict them of the crime, and legally must confess or follow through the indictment.
Usage notes
editHistorically, a grand inquest impaneled and swore before the Justices in Eyre, etc, endorsing a bill whereby any crime punishable in that court is presented to them, with the phrase billa vera.
References
edit- 1728, Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain. [1]