First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
champerty
noun cham·per·ty \ˈcham-pər-tē\
Definition of CHAMPERTY
: a proceeding by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense in consideration of a share of the matter in suit
— cham·per·tous \-pər-təs\ adjective
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Origin of CHAMPERTY
Middle English champartie, from Anglo-French, from champart share in litigious property, from champ field (from Latin campus) + part portion — more at part
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