champerty

[ cham-per-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Law.

a sharing in the proceeds of litigation by one who agrees with either the plaintiff or defendant to help promote it or carry it on.

champerty

/ ˈtʃæmpətɪ /

noun

See maintenance
law (formerly) an illegal bargain between a party to litigation and an outsider whereby the latter agrees to pay for the action and thereby share in any proceeds recovered See also maintenance

Discover More

Derived Forms

ˈchampertous, adjective

Discover More

Other Words From

champer·tous adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of champerty¹

1300–50; Middle English champartie, equivalent to champart (< Middle French: share of the produce, literally, of the field, equivalent to champ field ( camp ¹ ) + part share, part ) + -ie -y ³

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of champerty¹

C14: from Anglo-French champartie, from Old French champart share of produce, from champ field + part share (a feudal lord's)

Discover More

Example Sentences

In England, contingent fees are held to be clearly within the statutes of champerty and maintenance.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 22, 2024steadfast

[sted-fast]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

champers champignon

Browse