Queen's evidence

Queen's evidence
   British
   betraying a fellow malefactor
   Or King's evidence, depending on the occupant of the throne. The derivation is from the convention that the crown prosecutes in British criminal cases:
    But a suspect may, if he refuses to co-operate, perhaps by 'turning Queen's evidence' or becoming a 'supergrass' ... (David Pennick in Enright, 1985)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • Queen's evidence — Queen Queen, n. [OE. quen, quene, queen, quean, AS. cw[=e]n wife, queen, woman; akin to OS. qu[=a]n wife, woman, Icel. kv[=a]n wife, queen, Goth. q[=e]ns. [root]221. See {Quean}.] 1. The wife of a king. [1913 Webster] 2. A woman who is the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Queen's evidence — Evidence Ev i*dence, n. [F. [ e]vidence, L. Evidentia. See {Evident}.] 1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Queen's evidence — n BrE turn Queen s evidence if a criminal turns Queen s evidence, they agree to help the police and law courts to catch other criminals by giving them information →↑king s evidence, ↑State s evidence …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Queen's evidence — the evidence of someone who decides to give evidence incriminating his accomplice. He may be given immunity from prosecution for doing this. In England the jury will be warned that it is dangerous to convict on such evidence unless corroborated.… …   Law dictionary

  • Queen's evidence — ► NOUN English Law ▪ evidence for the prosecution given by a participant in the crime being tried …   English terms dictionary

  • queen's evidence — noun Usage: usually capitalized Q : king s evidence used when the British monarch is a queen * * * Queen s evidence see under evident ● turn * * * Queen’s evidence UK US noun british Phrase: turn Queen s evidence * …   Useful english dictionary

  • Queen's evidence — King s (Queen s) evidence When several persons are charged with a crime, and one of them gives evidence against his accomplices, on the promise of being granted a pardon, he is said to be admitted king s or (in America) state s evidence. Called… …   Black's law dictionary

  • Queen's evidence — King s (Queen s) evidence When several persons are charged with a crime, and one of them gives evidence against his accomplices, on the promise of being granted a pardon, he is said to be admitted king s or (in America) state s evidence. Called… …   Black's law dictionary

  • Queen's evidence — King King, n. [AS. cyng, cyning; akin to OS. kuning, D. koning, OHG. kuning, G. k[ o]nig, Icel. konungr, Sw. konung, Dan. konge; formed with a patronymic ending, and fr. the root of E. kin; cf. Icel. konr a man of noble birth. [root]44. See {Kin} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • queen's evidence — n. (BE) to turn queen s evidence (see also king s evidence, state s evidence) * * * (BE) to turn queen s evidence (see also king s evidence, state s evidence) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • Queen's evidence — noun BrE turn Queen s evidence if a criminal turns Queen s evidence, they agree to help the police, law courts etc to catch other criminals by giving them information see also: evidence 1, king s evidence, State s evidence …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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