Main Entry:

bar·ra·try

Pronunciation:

\ˈber-ə-trē, ˈba-rə-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural bar·ra·tries

Etymology:

Middle English (Scots) barratrie, from Anglo-French *baraterie, literally, deception, from Old French barater to be active, do business, cause strife, deceive, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *prattare, from Greek prattein, prassein to do — more at practical

Date:

15th century

1 : the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church or state 2 : an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a master of a ship or by the mariners to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo 3 : the persistent incitement of litigation