Law. Also 7 voire. [OF. voir true, the truth + dire to say.] (See quots. 1701 and 1768).
1676. T. W., Office of Clerk of Assize, G j. Such person so produced for a witness, may be examined upon a Voire Dire.
1701. Cowell’s Interpr., s.v., When it is pray’d upon a Trial at Law, that a Witness may be sworn upon a Voir dire; the meaning is, he shall upon his Oath speak or declare the truth.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 332. If however the court has, upon inspection, any doubt of the age of the party,… it may … examine the infant himself upon an oath of voir dire, veritatem dicere, that is, to make true answer to such questions as the court shall demand of him.
1834. Edin. Rev., April, 232. All the persons most intimately connected with Ireland are examined on the voir dire.
