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.
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Origin of quo warranto
1250–1300; Middle English <Medieval Latin quō warrantō by what warrant
Words nearby quo warranto
quotient, quotient group, quotient ring, quotient space, quo vadis, quo warranto, Qu Qiu Bai, Qurʾan, Qurnet es Sauda, qursh, qurush
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
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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