Compurgatrix

Origin

From , equivalent to en("Someone who vouches for another person's innocence, trustworthiness etc.") + -compurgator + rix.

Full definition of compurgatrix

Noun

1. (historical) Female compurgator.
• 1651, Francis Withins Gen. Com. of S. Johns, Newes from the dead. Or A true and exact narration of the miraculous deliverance of Anne Greene, who being executed at Oxford Decemb. 14. 1650. afterwards revived ; and by the care of certain hysitians there, is now perfectly recovered. Together with the manner of her suffering, and the particular meanes used for her recovery. Chapter Thou Pill too strong for fate!, Thou Pill too Å¿rong for fate! in whoÅ¿e defence
  Mira'cles ſtept in to reſscue innocence.
  Death was thy Ordeall, and Compurgatrix
  And Minos did thy Judges doome refix.
• 1664 , John Wilson , The Dramatic Works of John Wilson Chapter Andronicus Comnenius , Who courted you? Did I? No! Heaven knows
  'Twas otherwise! If not, you, madam, can
  Be my compurgatrix. Nor think it strange
• 1924 , Claude Jenkins , Tudor Studies presented by the Board of Studies in History in the University of London to Albert Frederick Pollard Chapter Cardinal Morton's Register , She produces four women as "compurgatrices" and is dismissed.
• 1965 , Roy Martin Haines , The Administration of the Diocese of Worcester in the First Half of the Fourteenth Century , Sarra, wife of William Beyonde Toune, had acted as compurgatrix for Clarence de Upcote, accused of counterfeiting a key to a rectory granary.
• 2012, Ian Mortimer , The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England , Both Henry Packer and the widow accordingly find themselves in court. The widow produces sufficient compurgatrices.