relator

[ ri-ley-ter ]

noun

1. a person who relates or tells; narrator.
2. Law.
   1. a private person on whose suggestion or complaint certain writs, as a quo warranto, are issued and whose position is analogous to that of a plaintiff.
   2. a party in interest who is allowed to institute a proceeding in the name of a public official when the right to sue rests exclusively in that official.

relator

/ rɪˈleɪtə /

noun

1. a person who relates a story; narrator
2. English law a person who gives information upon which the attorney general brings an action
3. law a person who institutes proceedings by criminal information or quo warranto

Word History and Origins

Origin of relator¹

First recorded in 1585–95, relator is from the Latin word relātor a proposer, mover. See relate, -tor

Example Sentences

And, in fact, the record in so many words so stated, and the statement was uncontroverted by the relator.

From Project Gutenberg

Abraham Crist appeared for the relator, and John Greenwood for the defendant.

From Project Gutenberg

There was still a relator, a private secretary of the inquisitor-general, a keeper of the archives, and four minor officials.

From Project Gutenberg

As a mere relator, therefore, of the sights and sounds of great naval battles, Mr. Brownell has a fresh story to tell.

From Project Gutenberg

Archie's face grew more and more rigid as he listened, but the anger that the relator had anticipated did not show there.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chronicler
• narrator
• poet
• raconteur