barratry
Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Early 15th century, in sense “sale of offices”, from Old French baraterie (“deceit, trickery”), from barat (“fraud, deceit, trickery”), of Unknown origin, perhaps Celtic.[1] In marine sense of “unlawful acts causing loss to owner”, 1620s.[1].
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
barratry (plural barratries)
- The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.
- The sale and/or purchase of religious or political positions of power.
- (admiralty law) Unlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.
Coordinate terms[edit]
- (sale or purchase of positions of power): simony
