A Latin preposition meaning ‘before, in the presence of,’ occurring in various legal and other phrases, e.g.
coram judice before a judge; coram nobis before us (i.e., the sovereign) = in our court of King’s Bench; coram non judice before one not the proper judge, or who cannot take legal cognizance of the matter; coram paribus before one’s peers; coram populo before the people, in public.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., s.v., When a Cause is brought in a Court, whereof the Judges have not any Jurisdiction; there it is said to be Coram non judice.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 279. You would never have brought us coram him who is the common Father and Conservator of all.
† b. Hence, in phrase To bring under coram, call to or in coram: to call to account, bring to book; so to have one under coram, i.e., under discipline or correction.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apophth. (1877), 380. Οὐ συντέταγμαι: that is, I am none of those whiche are brought under coram.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 366 b. She is called to coram, before these cloisterers.
1588. Marprel. Epist. (Arb.), 23. The parties were neuer calde in Coram for it.
1592. Greene, Upst. Courtier, E 1 b. He hath had me vnder coram so often.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence (1607), 271. He supposeth that which he doth shall … come vnder coram.
1611. Cotgr., Discipliner, to discipline, schoole, correct, bring vnder coram.
¶ Used by confusion for QUORUM.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 6. Robert Shallow Esquire … Iustice of Peace and Coram.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 73. The Committie foirsaid, halden … be ane sufficient coram.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen. (1693), 782. Justices of Coram, parici quæstores.
