empanel
UK[ɪmˈpæn(ə)l]US[ɪmˈpæn(ə)l]
v
To enter (a person's name) on a list or panel, especially of jurors or a jury.
v
To select (a jury) from such a list.
Morpheme Breakdown
em
panel
em
in, into
panel
list, sheet
Etymology
The word 'empanel' is a legal term with a literal origin in medieval administrative practice. It is formed from the prefix 'em-', meaning 'into', and the noun 'panel', which originally referred to a piece of parchment or a list. Historically, a 'panel' was a slip of parchment containing the names of jurors. Therefore, the act of 'empaneling' someone was, quite literally, the action of entering their name onto this official piece of parchment or list. This concrete, physical process evolved into the modern abstract legal procedure of formally enrolling individuals onto a jury roster.
Analysis
Structure: em (in, into) + panel (list, sheet)
- em: A prefix of Latin origin (via Old French), from Latin 'in-' meaning 'in, into'. It is an assimilated form of 'en-' used before 'p', 'b', or 'm'.
- panel: A noun of Old French origin, from 'panel' meaning 'piece of cloth, piece, list', derived from Latin 'pannus' meaning 'piece of cloth'.
Examples
The court clerk will empanel the new jurors next Monday.
The judge ordered the sheriff to empanel a grand jury to investigate the allegations.
Lawyers for both sides participated in the process to empanel an impartial jury.