Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CER-TIO-RA'RI, n. [Low L. certioror, from certus, certior.]

A writ issuing out of Chancery, King's Bench or other superior court, to call up the records of an inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, that it may be tried in the superior court. This writ is obtained upon complaint of a party, that he has not received justice, or that he can not have an impartial trial, in the inferior court. – Encyc.