- the Privy Council sitting as a court of equity, esp powerful under the Tudor monarchs; abolished 1641
- (sometimes not capitals) any arbitrary tribunal dispensing summary justice
- (sometimes not capitals) (in Britain, in a Conservative government) a group of senior ministers who make the final decision on the public spending of each government department
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
Star′ Cham′ber,
- Lawa former court of inquisitorial and criminal jurisdiction in England that sat without a jury and that became noted for its arbitrary methods and severe punishments, abolished 1641.
- Lawany tribunal, committee, or the like, which proceeds by arbitrary or unfair methods.
- Middle English 1350–1400
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Star Chamber n