arbitrer

Arbitrer is an obsolete (no longer used) word for an arbitrator—an independent, impartial third party that works to settle a dispute between two opposing sides, often by making a decision that they both agree to.

This process is called arbitration. For a process to be considered arbitration, it must involve an arbitrator, which can be a single person or a team of people. To act as an arbitrator is to arbitrate.

The terms arbitrator and arbitration are especially used in the context of negotiations between businesses and labor unions. When the two sides can’t agree and negotiations are unproductive, they may seek to pursue arbitration by bringing in an arbitrator.

Arbitrer means the same thing as arbitrator but it is no longer commonly used. It should not be confused with the word arbiter, which can be used as a synonym of arbitrator but is usually used more generally to refer to any person who has been assigned the role of settling a dispute or rendering a decision on an issue, as in I’m not the arbiter of justice—I’m just offering some friendly advice!

The first records of the word arbitrer come from the 1300s. Like arbitrator, it ultimately comes from the Latin verb arbitrāri, meaning “to give judgment.”

Arbitrer fell out of common use in English after the 1800s. It is almost never used anymore. However, the word arbitrer is used in French to refer to a referee, such as one in a soccer match.

What are some synonyms for arbitrer?

• arbitrator

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

• arbitrate
• arbitration
• arbitrable
• arbitrary