compurgatory, a.
(kəmˈpɜːgətərɪ)
[f. L. type *compurgātōri-us, f. compurgātor: see -ory.]
1. Pertaining to compurgators. compurgatory oath: the oath taken by compurgators.
| 1604 Bp. Barlow Confer. Hampton Crt. 92 Here was necessary the Oath Compurgatorie. 1829 K. Digby Broadst. Hon. I. Godefridus 273 The clergy of Spain..instead of compurgatory oaths and judiciary combats, ordained the proofs by witnesses. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. I. iv. 63 The value of the compurgatory oath among the Welsh. |
2. Of a compurgator in sense 3.
| 1868 Reprint Jones's Glasgow Directory 1787 Pref. 10 The ‘Compurgatory’ system of Sabbath-keeping. |