n. (usu. in pl.) hist. a court sitting at intervals in each county of England and Wales to administer the civil and criminal law.
Usage:
In 1972 the civil jurisdiction of assizes was transferred to the High Court and the criminal jurisdiction to the Crown Court.
Etymology: ME f. OF as(s)ise, fem. past part. of aseeir sit at, f. L assidere: cf. ASSESS