Precognition
Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Abbott (1879)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In Scotch law. The examination of witnesses who were present at the commission of a criminal act, upon the special circumstances attending it, in order to know whether there is ground for a trial, and to serve for direction to the prosecutor. But the persons examined may insist on having their declaration cancelled before they give testimony at the trial. Ersk. Inst. 4. 4. note 49, PRECOGNOSCE (Scotch; from Lat. praecognoscere).
In Scotch practice. To examine beforehand. Arkley, 232.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
In Soots law. Preliminary examination; the investigation of a criminal case, preliminary to committing the accused for trial.
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
In Scotch law, an examination by a judge-ordinary or justice of the peace, where any crime has been committed, that the fact may be ascertained, and full and perfect knowledge given to the public prosecutor in carrying on the prosecution. In this examination the witnesses are not put upon oath, and they are examined separately; nor is the accused, or any person on his part, admitted to be present when the precognition is taken. Those who know any thing of the fact may be compelled to come forward, on pain of imprisonment. Bell. The word is also used of the examination of witnesses by an attorney preparatory to a jury trial in a civil cause. Paterson.