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barratry

noun
bar·​ra·​try | \ ˈber-É™-trÄ“ How to pronounce barratry (audio) , ˈba-rÉ™-\
plural barratries

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

First Known Use of barratry

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for 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

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More Definitions for barratry

barratry

noun
bar·​ra·​try | \ ˈbar-É™-trÄ“ How to pronounce barratry (audio) \
plural barratries

Legal Definition of barratry

1 : an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a ship's master or crew that injures the interests of the ship's or cargo's owners —often used in marine insurance policies

Note: Examples of barratry include embezzling cargo, stealing a ship's equipment, or willfully sinking a ship.

2 : the persistent incitement of litigation

History and Etymology for barratry

Middle French baraterie deception, from barater to deceive, cheat

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