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| barratry [ bárrətri ] or barretry [ bárrətri ] |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. bringing of unreasonable lawsuits: the action of persistently bringing lawsuits for little or no reason, formerly an offence in British law
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2. unlawful shipping practice: an illegal practice such as fraud committed by a ship's master or crew that harms its owner or charterer
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3. buying of church or government position: the sale or purchase of a position in government or the church
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| [15th century. < French baraterie 'combat, deceit' < barater 'fight, cheat' < Greek prattein 'do'] |
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  barrator noun |
| barratrous adjective |
| barratrously adverb |
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