3 ms·
Definition of DOCK : the place in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during trial — in the dock : on trial http://www.merriam-webster.com/d
by michaelhoffman 14y ago
Definition of DOCK
: the place in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during trial
— in the dock
: on trial
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dock http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dock
Commonly used in British/Commonwealth English, and Nature is based in London. I don't think I've ever heard it used in American English.
- SoftwareMaven 14y ago"On the stand" would be the equivalent US idiom.
- michaelhoffman 14y agoNot really, because any witness goes on the stand, whether they are a party to the case or not. Saying someone is "on the stand" does not mean they are a criminal defendant. Only criminal defendants are in the dock.
- dmckeon 14y agoUS and UK court idioms vary widely - a US defendant would be "on trial" while a UK accused would be "in the dock" Any witness would "on the stand" including a defendant who is called as a witness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_stand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_stand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtroom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtroom