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Webster 1913 Edition
Habeas corpus
‖
Ha′be-as cor′pus
(hā′bē̍-ăs kôr′pŭs)
. [L. you may have the body.]
(Law)
A writ having for its object to bring a party before a court or judge; especially, one to inquire into the cause of a person’s imprisonment or detention by another, with the view to protect the right to personal liberty; also, one to bring a prisoner into court to testify in a pending trial.
Bouvier.