'Trial by certificate' definitions:

Definition of 'Trial by certificate'

From: GCIDE
  • Certificate \Cer*tif"i*cate\, n. [F. certificat, fr. LL. certificatus made certain, p. p. of certificare. See tify.]
  • 1. A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as, certificate of good behavior. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A written declaration legally authenticated. [1913 Webster]
  • Trial by certificate, a trial which the testimony of the person certifying is the only proper criterion of the point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate of the proper officer in writing, under his seal. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]