Word of the Day : March 7, 2019

Mirandize \muh-RAN-dyze\ verb

Definition

: to recite the Miranda warnings to (a person under arrest)

Did You Know?

"You have the right to remain silent...." These seven words typically begin the notification that police recite to inform a suspect of his or her rights while in custody. The law requiring this recitation stemmed from a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Miranda v. Arizona) in which the court overturned the conviction of Ernesto A. Miranda on charges of rape and kidnapping. The court had determined that Miranda confessed to the crime without being informed that he could remain silent during questioning. The list of rights that must be recited to a suspect in custody subsequently became known as "the Miranda warnings." And by the 1970s, people began using the verb Mirandize in reference to such a recitation.

Aired March 7, 2019

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com