voir dire

voir dire (voire dire) [Norman French: to speak the truth]

1. The preliminary examination by a judge of a witness to determine his competence or of a juror to determine his qualification for jury service.

2. An inquiry conducted by the judge in the absence of the jury into the admissibility of an item of evidence (e.g. a confession). It is sometimes called a trial within a trial.

3. Formerly, a special oath taken by witnesses called to testify on the voir dire.