relator

American  

[ri-ley-ter] / rɪˈleɪ tər /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of relator

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

Example Sentences

If it intervenes, it takes over management of the lawsuit though the relator remains a party; the latter can receive 15% to 25% of any recovery.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2024

The plaintiff, called a relator, sends the lawsuit and a statement to federal authorities, who can choose to intervene.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 31, 2023

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the general relator for the event, called the inclusion of women and lay members in the voting pool “not a revolution but an important change.”

From Washington Times • Apr. 26, 2023

His wife, who filed for divorce on June 1, a week after George Floyd was killed, worked as a photographer and relator at the time.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2020

The credit acquired by such relations seldom pays the relator for the hazard run by the communication.

From Coelebs In Search of a Wife by More, Hannah

Related Words

• chronicler
• narrator
• poet
• raconteur