Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OY'ER, n. [Norm. oyer, bearing; Fr. ouir, to hear.]

1. In law, a bearing or trial of causes. A court of oyer and terminer is constituted by a commission to inquire, hear and determine all treasons, felonies and misdemeanors. Blackstone.
2. The hearing, as of a writ, bond, note or other specialty; as when a defendant in court prays oyer of a writing. Blackstone.