In Saxon law. A preliminary or preparatory oath, (called also “pr#juramentum,” and “juramcntum calumni#,”) which both the accuser and ac-cused were required to make before any trial or purgation; the accuser swearing that he would prosecute the criminal, and the accused making oath on the very day that he was to undergo the ordeal that he was inno-ceut of the crime with which he was charged, whishaw
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
