noun. A writ seeking review of a lower court decision by a higher court.

noun. In law, a writ issuing from a superior court to call up the record of a proceeding in an inferior court or before any body or officer exercising judicial power, that it may be tried or reviewed in the superior court.

noun. A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of a inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice, or that errors and irregularities may be corrected. It is obtained upon complaint of a party that he has not received justice, or can not have an impartial trial in the inferior court.

noun. A grant of the right of an appeal to be heard by an appellate court where that court has discretion to choose which appeals it will hear.

noun. A grant of review of a government action by a court with discretion to make such a review.

noun. a common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case

"The SCOTUS has discretionary power to take a case so a denial of certiorari is an implicit affirmation of the lower court rulings."