certiorari
UK[ˌsɜː.ti.əˈreə.raɪ]US[ˌsɜːr.ʃi.əˈrɑːr.i]
n
a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a case tried in a lower court.
n
an extraordinary writ issued by an appellate court, at its discretion, directing a lower court to deliver the record in the case for review.
Etymology
the word 'certiorari' is a latin passive verb form meaning 'to be informed' or 'to be made certain,' from the verb 'certiorare' ('to certify, inform'), which itself derives from 'certior,' the comparative of 'certus' ('sure, certain'). in medieval english law, the phrase 'certiorari facias' ('cause to be certified') was used in writs issued by a superior court demanding the record of proceedings from an inferior court. over time, the shortened form 'certiorari' became the name for this specific writ. its modern legal meaning directly retains the original sense of the court seeking to be informed or made certain of the facts and law of a lower court's decision.
Analysis
this word is a latin loanword adopted as a simplex legal term in english. it is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
the defense counsel filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the supreme court.
the court granted certiorari to review the constitutional question presented by the case.
after the appellate court denied the appeal, their last resort was to seek certiorari.