quo warranto
[ kwoh waw-ran-toh, wo- ]
/ kwoʊ wɔˈræn toʊ, wɒ- /
noun Law.
(formerly, in England) a writ calling upon a person to show by what authority he or she claims an office, franchise, or liberty.
(in England and the U.S.) a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding initiated to determine by what authority one has an office, franchise, or liberty.
the pleading initiating such a proceeding.
Nearby words
qungur, quo, quo animo?, quo jure?, quo vadis, quo warranto, quoad hoc, quod, quod erat demonstrandum, quod erat faciendum, quod vide
Origin of quo warranto
1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin quō warrantō by what warrant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for quo warranto
quo warranto
/ (ˈkwəʊ wɒˈræntəʊ) /
noun
law a proceeding initiated to determine or (formerly) a writ demanding by what authority a person claims an office, franchise, or privilege
Word Origin for quo warranto
from Medieval Latin: by what warrant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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