Definition of: oyer

(ō′yər, oi′ər) noun Law
1. A hearing or trial of causes; an assize; formerly, in pleading, a petition by a party to an action, praying that he might hear read to him a deed held by the opposite party; in modern practice, the production of such a document, or a copy thereof, by the party holding it.
2. Oyer and terminer: a contracted form. [<AF oyer <OF oir, oyr, ult. <L audire hear]