STAR-CHAMBER


Meaning of STAR-CHAMBER in English

ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective

Etymology: Star Chamber, a court existing in England from the 15th century until 1641 that exercised wide civil and criminal jurisdiction under rules of procedure well suited to the purposes of absolutist sovereigns

1. : of, relating to, constituting, or in the manner of a secret oppressive or irresponsible judicial body

it took centuries of bloody struggle to outlaw star-chamber sessions, and the principle which requires judicial proceedings to be conducted in public still must be vigorously defended — San Francisco (Calif.) News

2. : of, relating to, constituting, or in the manner of a legislative or executive body that holds closed meetings

star-chamber sessions of city councils and school boards — Fortnight

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.