Word Study
habeas corpus
CIDE DICTIONARY
habeas corpus, [L. you may have the body.].
A writ having for its object to bring a party before a court or judge; especially, one to inquire into the cause of a person's imprisonment or detention by another, with the view to protect the right to personal liberty; also, one to bring a prisoner into court to testify in a pending trial. Bouvier. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
habeas corpus, n. a writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge or into court, esp. to investigate the lawfulness of his or her detention.
Etymology
L, = you must have the body
DEVIL DICTIONARY
habeas corpus
A writ by which a man may be taken out of jail when confined for the wrong crime.ROGET THESAURUS
habeas corpus
Legality
N legality, legitimacy, legitimateness, legislature, law, code, corpus juris, constitution, pandect, charter, enactment, statute, rule, canon, ordinance, institution, regulation, bylaw, byelaw, decree, ordonnance, standing order, plebiscite, legal process, form, formula, formality, rite, arm of the law, habeas corpus, fieri facias, jurisprudence, nomology, legislation, codification, equity, common law, lex, lex nonscripta, law of nations, droit des gens, international law, jus gentium, jus civile, civil law, canon law, crown law, criminal law, statute law, ecclesiastical law, administrative law, lex mercatoria, constitutionalism, constitutionality, justice, court, tribunal, judge, lawyer, attorney, legal counsel, legal, legitimate, according to law, vested, constitutional, chartered, legalized, lawful, statutable, statutory, legislatorial, legislative, regulatory, regulated, legally, in the eye of the law, de jure, ignorantia legis neminem excusat, ignorance of the law is no excuse, where law ends tyranny begins.For further exploring for "habeas corpus" in Webster Dictionary Online