Barratry

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbæɹətɹi/

Origin

Early 15th century, in sense “sale of offices”, from Old French baraterie ("deceit, trickery"), from barat ("fraud, deceit, trickery"), of Unknown origin, perhaps .

Online Etymology Dictionary

In marine sense of “unlawful acts causing loss to owner”, 1620s.

Full definition of barratry

Noun

1. the act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones
2. the sale and/or purchase of political positions of power
3. (admiralty legal) unlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.

Related terms

• barrator
• barratrous
• barratrously

Coordinate terms

• (sale or purchase of positions of power) simony