Voir dire /ˈvwɑr ˌdiər/ is a legal phrase that refers to a variety of procedures connected with jury trials. It originally referred to an oath taken by jurors to tell the truth (Latin verum dicere), i.e., to say what is true, what is objectively accurate or subjectively honest, or both. It comes from the Anglo-Norman language.
The word voir (or voire), in this combination, comes from Old French and derives from Latin verum, "that which is true". It is not related to the modern French word voir, which derives from Latin vidēre ("to see"), though the expression is now often interpreted by false etymology to mean "to see say".
Read more about Voir Dire: Historic Use, Use in Commonwealth Countries, Use in The United States and Canada
Famous quotes containing the word dire:
“Was none who would be foremost
To lead such dire attack;
But those behind cried “Forward!”
And those before cried “Back!””
—Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800–1859)