assize

 
Pronunciation: /əˈsʌɪz/

noun

(usually assizes) historical
  • a court which formerly sat at intervals in each county of England and Wales to administer the civil and criminal law. In 1972 the civil jurisdiction of assizes was transferred to the High Court, and the criminal jurisdiction to the Crown Court.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French assise, feminine past participle of asseeir 'sit, settle, assess', from Latin assidere (see assess)