noun · countable / uncountable · rare

barratry

barratry · barratries

The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless onesThe act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.

/ˈbæɹətɹi/

Meaning

3 senses

(countable, uncountable)The act of persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones.
(countable, uncountable)The sale or purchase of religious or political positions of power.
(countable, uncountable)Unlawful or fraudulent acts by the crew of a vessel, harming the vessel's owner.

More definitions

the offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels
(maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo
the crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery
traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments

Origin

Early 15th century, in sense “sale of offices”, from Old French baraterie (“deceit, tricke

Early 15th century, in sense “sale of offices”, from Old French baraterie (“deceit, trickery”), from barat (“fraud, deceit, trickery”), of unknown origin, perhaps Celtic. In marine sense of “unlawful acts causing loss to owner”, 1620s.

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Forms

plural: barratries

Singular	barratry
Plural	barratries

regular

Synonyms

1 synonyms

Close in meaning

traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments:simony

Word family

Lessons for this word

1 lessons

A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable