barratrous

Variant of barratry

noun

  1. Obsolete the buying or selling of ecclesiastical or civil positions
  2. the criminal offense of habitually bringing about quarrels or lawsuits
  3. Maritime Law wrongful conduct on the part of a ship's officer or crew that results in loss to the owners

Origin: Fr baraterie, orig., misuse of office < barater: see barrator

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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