barratry

[bar-uh-tree]

noun

Law.

1. fraud by a master or crew at the expense of the owners of the ship or its cargo.

2. the offense of frequently exciting and stirring up lawsuits and quarrels.

3. the purchase or sale of ecclesiastical preferments or of offices of state.

barratry

/ ˈbærətrɪ /

noun

1. criminal law (formerly) the vexatious stirring up of quarrels or bringing of lawsuits

2. maritime law a fraudulent practice committed by the master or crew of a ship to the prejudice of the owner or charterer

3. Scots law the crime committed by a judge in accepting a bribe

4. the purchase or sale of public or Church offices

Other Word Forms

• barratrous adjective
• barratrously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of barratry¹

1400–50; late Middle English barratrie < Anglo-French, Middle French baraterie combat, fighting. See barrator, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of barratry¹

C15: from Old French baraterie deception, from barater to _barter

Example Sentences

But of all sins, that of “barratry” was one of the most hateful to him.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw at once that here was a case of barratry of the master, and that the letter would jeopardize the whole affair of the insurance.

From Project Gutenberg

The commencing of suits in the name of a fictitious plaintiff is common barratry.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, amidst these facts, which seemed to point pretty clearly to a case of barratry, there were serious difficulties.

From Project Gutenberg

The case of the notorious Mrs. Winslow, indicted for common barratry, terminated to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contravention 
• dereliction 
• disregard 
• infraction 
• infringement 
• neglect 
• noncompliance 
• offense 
• transgression 
• violation