audiencia

noun

au·​di·​en·​cia

ˌau̇dēˈen(t)sēə,

-nch(ē)ə

plural -s

1

a

: a tribunal in which the sovereign of Spain gave personal attention to matters of justice

b

: an ecclesiastical or secular court representing the sovereign of Spain

2

: a high court of justice in a Spanish colony frequently exercising military power as well as judicial and political functions

3

: a provincial or territorial high court in modern Spain

4

: the jurisdiction of an audiencia

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, hearing, from Latin audientia

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