PEINE FORTE ET DURE
\pˈe͡ɪn fˈɔːte͡ɪ ˈɛt djˈʊ͡ə], \pˈeɪn fˈɔːteɪ ˈɛt djˈʊə], \p_ˈeɪ_n f_ˈɔː_t_eɪ ˈɛ_t d_j_ˈʊə]\
Definitions of PEINE FORTE ET DURE
- 1910 - Black's Law Dictionary (2nd edition)
- 1919 - The concise Oxford dictionary of current English
- 1895 - Glossary of terms and phrases
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L. Fr. In old English law. A special form of punishment for those who, being arraigned for felony, obstinately "stood mute;" that is, refused to plead or to put themselves upon trial. It is described as a combination of solitary confinement, slow starvation, and crushing the naked body with a great load of iron. This atrocious punishment was vulgarly called "pressing to death." See 4 Bl. Comm. 324-328; Britt. cc. 4, 22; 2 Reeve, Eng. Law, 134; Cowell.
By Henry Campbell Black
