First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
barratry
noun bar·ra·try \ˈber-ə-trē, ˈba-rə-\
plural bar·ra·tries
Definition of BARRATRY
1
: the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church or state
2
: an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a master of a ship or by the mariners to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo
3
: the persistent incitement of litigation
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BARRATRY
Middle English (Scots) barratrie, from Anglo-French *baraterie, literally, deception, from Old French barater to be active, do business, cause strife, deceive, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *prattare, from Greek prattein, prassein to do — more at practical
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: Barr bodyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: barratrousAll Words Near: barratry
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up barratry? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).