1 quo warranto | Definition of quo warranto
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quo warranto

noun
quo war·​ran·​to | \ ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce quo warranto (audio) , -ˈran-; -ˈwȯr-ən-ˌtō, -ˈwär- How to pronounce quo warranto (audio) \

Definition of quo warranto

1a : an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty
b : a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2 : the legal action begun by a quo warranto

Examples of quo warranto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 This quo warranto business may feel airy and academic. — Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine, "How state attorneys general could take down Trump.," 15 Feb. 2017 Chief Justice Jorge Labarga questioned why the court would wait until the appointments were made and a quo warranto claim was filed before resolving the conflict. — Mary Ellen Klas, miamiherald, "Who gets to appoint 3 new Florida justices, Rick Scott or the next governor?," 1 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quo warranto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of quo warranto

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for quo warranto

Middle English quo waranto, from Medieval Latin quo warranto by what warrant; from the wording of the writ

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More Definitions for quo warranto

quo warranto

noun
quo war·​ran·​to | \ ˈkwō-wə-ˈran-tō, -ˈrän- How to pronounce quo warranto (audio) \

Legal Definition of quo warranto

1 : an extraordinary writ requiring a person or corporation to show by what right or authority a public office or franchise is held or exercised
2 : a proceeding in the nature of a writ of quo warranto for determining by what authority or right an office or franchise is held or exercised and seeking as an extraordinary remedy the discontinuance of an unlawful exercise of office or franchise

History and Etymology for quo warranto

Medieval Latin, by what warrant; from the wording of the writ

More from Merriam-Webster on quo warranto

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with quo warranto

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