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Definition of writ noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

writ

noun
 
/rɪt/
 
/rɪt/
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  1. writ (for something) (against somebody) a legal document from a court telling somebody to do or not to do something
    • The company has been served with a writ for breach of contract.
    • We fully intend to issue a writ against the newspaper.
    see also Holy Writ
    Extra Examples
    • A writ was filed in the High Court.
    • Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors.
    • He can file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
    • He has been served with a High Court writ.
    • The Supreme Court granted a writ.
    • The businessmen have issued a writ against the authority for damages.
    • The lawyer came to serve a writ on him.
    • a writ for damages/​libel
    • a writ of execution/​summons
    Topics Law and justicec2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • legal
    • High Court
    • libel
    verb + writ
    • apply for
    • seek
    • obtain
    preposition
    • in a/​the writ
    • writ against
    • writ for
    phrases
    • an application for a writ of…
    • a petition for a writ of…
    See full entry
    Word Originnoun Old English, as a general term denoting written matter, from the Germanic base of write.
See writ in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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