demurrer
/dɪˈmʌɹə/ noun
Forms demurrers
- noun (law) A motion by a party to a legal action for the immediate or summary judgment of the court on the question of whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense, and hence whether the party bringing the motion is required to answer or proceed further.
- noun Someone who demurs.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman demurrer, form of Old French demourer (“to demur”), infinitive used as noun.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One who demurs.
- noun A stop or pause by a party to an action, for the judgment of the court on the question, whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense, and hence whether the party resting is bound to answer or proceed further. Demurrer to evidence, an exception taken by a party to the evidence offered by the opposite party, and an objecting to proceed further, on the allegation that such evidence is not sufficient in law to maintain the issue, and a reference to the court to determine the point. Bouvier.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “demurrer”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details