GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  1.       
Star chamber, Star-chamber (stärˈchāmˌbẽr), n. [So called (as conjectured by Blackstone) from being held in a room at the Exchequer where the chests containing certain Jewish contracts and obligations called starrs (from the Heb. shetar, pron. shtar) were kept; or from the stars with which the ceiling is supposed to have been decorated.]
    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.  Encyc. Brit.

    [1913 Webster]


    2. Hence: (Metaphorical) Any court, committee, or other tribunal which exercises arbitrary and unaccountable power, or uses unfair or illegal methods, in investigation or judgment of persons.

    [PJC]

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