Called before a court of law to hear the charges against you and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
From Old French 'araisnier,' meaning 'to speak to' or 'accuse.' It combines 'a' (to) and 'raisnier' (to reason or speak). The legal meaning developed in English courts during the medieval period.
The word captures a dramatic moment in history—when an accused person finally hears officially what they're charged with. It's one of the oldest legal procedures still used almost identically to how it worked 700 years ago.
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