ˌsərsh(ē)əˈrerē, -ˈrerˌī, -ˈrärē noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin, to be informed, be shown, passive infin. of certiorare to inform, from certior more certain, compar. of certus certain; from the use of the word certiorari in the Latin form of the writ — more at certain
: a writ issuing out of a superior court to call up the records of an inferior court or a body acting in a quasi-judicial capacity (as commissioners and assessors of taxes) in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice or that errors and irregularities may be corrected