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2 definitions found

From: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

 Star cham·ber, Star-cham·ber n.
 1. Eng. Hist. An ancient high court exercising jurisdiction in certain cases, mainly criminal, which sat without the intervention of a jury.  It consisted of the king's council, or of the privy council only with the addition of certain judges.  It could proceed on mere rumor or examine witnesses; it could apply torture.  It was abolished by the Long Parliament in 1641.
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From: WordNet (r) 2.0

 Star Chamber
      n : a former English court that became notorious for its
          arbitrary methods and severe punishments