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dicastery

dicastery

9.9
A court in ancient Greece where citizens judge legal cases
  • noun
  • /dɪˈkæstəri/
  • Archaic
translation icon : dicasterio
  • In Athens, a dicastery was crucial for resolving disputes.

Examples

  • Jurors in the dicastery listened carefully before delivering their verdict.

  • The ancient city held trials in a dicastery attended by hundreds of citizens.

  • Historical records describe the dicastery as central to the Greek legal system.

  • The ancient dicastery ruled on matters of justice.

  • The ancient city held trials in a dicastery attended by hundreds of citizens.

  • Jurors in the dicastery listened carefully before delivering their verdict.

  • Historical records describe the dicastery as central to the Greek legal system.

Synonyms

court
vsdicastery
  • Formal
1.4

A place where a judge hears and decides legal cases

is used chiefly for such assemblies in ancient or classical settings
tribunal
vsdicastery
  • Formal
84 7.4

A group of people, usually judges, who decide cases in court

is applied mainly to similar ancient bodies rather than modern institutions
court of justice
vsdicastery
  • Formal
2 3.8

A place where judges decide legal cases and apply the law

is mainly used for such legal bodies in ancient and classical contexts
judicatory
vsdicastery
  • Formal
9.9

A group of courts that make legal decisions

is used for a single body rather than the whole court system

Surface Forms

dicastery singular
dicasteries plural

Morphology

dicastery = dicast + ery

Built from an obscure combining form 'dicast' (not a standalone English word) plus the noun-forming suffix '-ery'; learners cannot derive the meaning from familiar English components.

Etymology

Dicastery comes from the Greek word dikastērion meaning 'court' and from dikē meaning 'justice'. So a dicastery was originally a place where judges met to hold trials.