Fleet-book evidence

noun

ˈflēt-

British

: evidence usually documentary that is inadmissible because inherently unreliable

Word History

Etymology

so called from the fact that books recording clandestine marriages in Fleet prison chapel, London, England, and in nearby houses were declared inadmissible as evidence in British courts

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!