assise

seat, base; foundation, bedrock

noun a-SEEZ Rare

Origin: From asseoir (to sit), from Latin assidere; assise is the past participle used as noun

Also means

foundation, bedrock

Usage Note

Assise in the singular can mean a seating surface or a course of masonry. In the plural, les assises refers to the 'assizes' — the criminal court (la cour d'assises) that tries serious crimes in France. Les assises can also mean a congress or general assembly of a party or organisation.

Examples

"L'affaire sera jugée aux assises."

Natural Translation

The case will be tried at the criminal court.

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