Pronunciation: ' h ā -b ē - ə s- ' ko ̇ r-p ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, you should have the body (the opening words of the writ)
Date: 15th century
1 : any of several common-law writs issued to bring a party before a court or judge especially : HABEAS CORPUS AD SUBJICIENDUM
2 : the right of a citizen to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as a protection against illegal imprisonment