PEER

(From the Latin par, French pair.) Equal, which meaning it still retains in the language of the common law, as trial by jury is said to be by the peers, oi equals, of the defendant. In this sense, the name remains as a relic of feudal institutions, according to which every rank of society formed an a ociation for the purpose ol mutual defence and the decision of disputes; as the tenants of a lord paramount or inferior, who met as equals (pares curioe) in the court over which he presided. Hence,:n the French monarchy, the highest va als of the crown foruiod [s. 924]