compurgator
/ˈkɑmpərˌɡeɪtər/
noun
- In historical law, a person who swore an oath to clear an accused person of a charge, based on their own knowledge or the accused's good character.
- The defendant brought twelve compurgators to testify to his honesty.
- The role of a compurgator was important before modern evidence rules were established.
- In medieval trials, a compurgator would swear that the accused was telling the truth.