A.Word.A.Day --barratry

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barratry

PRONUNCIATION:

(BAR-uh-tree)

MEANING:

noun:
1. The practice of stirring up of groundless lawsuits.
2. An unlawful act by a ship's master or crew that harms the owner of the ship.
3. The buying or selling of positions in church or state.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Anglo-French baraterie (deception), from barater (to cheat), from Vulgar Latin prattare, from Greek prattein (to do).

USAGE:

"A man with the same legal name as the lead character in the 1960s TV law show Perry Mason is charged with barratry. He allegedly tried to solicit former jail inmates for legal services."
Same Name, Different Fame for Perry Mason Accused of Soliciting Clients for Houston Lawyer; Associated Press; Apr 16, 2009.

See more usage examples of barratry in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. -Robert Orben, magician and author (b. 1927)

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