barratry noun. ['barǝtri] LME.
[Old & mod. French baraterie deceit, from Old French barat(e) deceit, fraud, trouble, etc., from barater: see BARRATOR, -ERY.]
1. Hist. The purchase or sale of ecclesiastical or state preferments or of judicial influence. LME.

2. The malicious incitement of discord; spec. (now Hist.) the persistent practice of vexatious litigation. L16.

3. Maritime Law. Fraud or gross or criminal negligence prejudicial to a ship's owner(s) or underwriters on the part of the master or crew. E17.

■ barratrous adjective (Maritime Law) of or pertaining to barratry M19.

■ barratrously adverb M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲