arbitrament

[ ahr-bi-truh-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of arbitrating; arbitration.
2. the decision or sentence pronounced by an arbiter.
3. the power of absolute and final decision.

arbitrament

/ ɑːˈbɪtrəmənt /

noun

1. the decision or award made by an arbitrator upon a disputed matter
2. the power or authority to pronounce such a decision
3. See arbitration
   another word for arbitration

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbitrament¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin arbitrāmentum, equivalent to Latin arbitrā(rī) “to decide, judge” + -mentum noun suffix; replacing Middle English arbitrement, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin; arbitrate, -ment

Example Sentences

At any rate why could not women be kept out of it and let men adjust their quarrel with the stern arbitrament of sword and gun!

From Project Gutenberg

It was inevitable that Carver should undervalue moral suasion; a military man, he recognized only the arbitrament of brute force.

From Project Gutenberg

I hope, in Heaven's name, they will not be submitted to the arbitrament of battle.

From Project Gutenberg

The right interpretation of a state-paper, however venerable, would not have been a question worthy of such terrible arbitrament.

From Project Gutenberg

All her pistol practice was with a view to call Furlong to the "last arbitrament" for this slight to her house.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• answer
• award
• conclusion
• decision
• decree
• finding
• opinion
• ruling
• sentence

More About Arbitrament

What does arbitrament mean?

Arbitrament most generally refers to the power or authority to decide something with finality.

This sense of the word is often used in phrases like arbitrament of war, arbitrament of force, and arbitrament of violence—meaning that force ultimately ends up deciding a winner after or in place of other courses of action.

Arbitrament is also a less common word for arbitration—the process in which two parties in a dispute use an independent, impartial third party (called an arbitrator) to settle the dispute, often by making a decision that they both agree to. The term arbitration is especially used in the context of negotiations between businesses and labor unions. This process can be called arbitrament, but it is not commonly used this way.

Arbitrament can also refer to the final decision made by the arbitrator.

Example: We must work toward a society in which the arbitrament of force is fully replaced with the arbitrament of the legal system.

Where does arbitrament come from?

The first records of the word arbitrament come from the 1300s. It comes from the Medieval Latin arbitrāmentum, from the Latin verb arbitrāri, meaning “to give judgment.”

Arbitrament is a very formal and mostly outdated way of saying “the final authority” or “the final judgment.” It’s not commonly used, but when you see it in older writing in phrases like the arbitrament of war, it refers to the thing that ultimately decides an issue.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for arbitrament?

• arbitration
• adjudication

What are some words that share a root or word element with arbitrament? 

 

• arbitrate
• arbitrator
• arbitrable
• arbitrer
• arbitrary

What are some words that often get used in discussing arbitrament?

• war
• force
• final
• ultimate
• decision
• ruling
• binding

How is arbitrament used in real life?

Arbitrament is a formal word. It is not commonly used.

(Thread) An interesting 1440s case. One Eleanor Cobert, of London, held from one Augustin Hawkin "certeyn landes to the value of xx marks yerli". In case of a dispute she was also "bounde by obligacion to abyde the arbitrament and award" of a certain group of arbitrators. pic.twitter.com/asNJWTCF2a

— Order of the Coif (@JusticeTyrwhit) September 28, 2019

“President Trump’s policy to ban transgender Americans from serving in our military is a cruel arbitrament as today’s decision by the Supreme Court to allow such restrictions to play out in the lower courts is deeply disturbing,” said @RepEspaillat pic.twitter.com/wtNdeYg6Jy

— Zabala al Dia.com (@zabalaaldia) January 22, 2019

"In the last resort, recourse to international justice depends on the will of the governments and on their readiness to submit for legal decision all which can and should be preserved from the arbitrament of violence." https://t.co/PqogRCgTa2

— Luca Ferro (@LucaFerro_Ghent) March 20, 2018

 

Try using arbitrament!

Is arbitrament used correctly in the following sentence? 

We have no choice but to abide by the arbitrament handed down by the arbitrator.