[vwahr deer; Fr. vwar deer] 
| 1. | an oath administered to a proposed witness or juror by which he or she is sworn to speak the truth in an examination to ascertain his or her competence. |
| 2. | the examination itself. |
| voir dire (vwär dîr') n. A preliminary examination of prospective jurors or witnesses under oath to determine their competence or suitability. [Anglo-Norman, to speak the truth : Latin vērus, true; see wērə-o- in Indo-European roots + Latin dīcere, to say; see deik- in Indo-European roots.] |