noun
court attendant; court clerk; bailiff; usher
Historical term for a low-ranking court official who handled clerical tasks, maintained order, and assisted in proceedings. Not used in modern Japanese court systems; the modern equivalent is 裁判所書記官 (court clerk) or 廷吏 (historical).
明治時代の裁判所では、廷吏が法廷の秩序を保っていた。
In Meiji-era courts, court attendants maintained order in the courtroom.
廷吏は書類を裁判官に手渡した。
The court clerk handed the documents to the judge.
Compound of 廷 (court) and 吏 (official, clerk). The term was used in the Meiji and Taishō periods for low-ranking court personnel; its exact historical derivation is uncertain.