Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
treaty - 5 dictionary results

trea⋅ty

  [tree-tee]
Use treaty in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. a formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations.
2. the formal document embodying such an international agreement.
3. any agreement or compact.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME trete < AF < L tractātus tractate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To treaty
trea·ty   (trē'tē)   
n.   pl. trea·ties
    1. A formal agreement between two or more states, as in reference to terms of peace or trade.
    2. The document in which such an agreement is set down.
    3. Negotiation for the purpose of reaching an agreement.
    4. An entreaty.
  2. A contract or agreement.
  3. Obsolete
    1. Negotiation for the purpose of reaching an agreement.
    2. An entreaty.

[Middle English tretee, from Old French traite, from Latin tractātus, discussion, from past participle of tractāre, to drag about, deal with; see treat.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Treaty

Trea"ty\, n.; pl. Treaties. [OE. tretee, F. trait['e], LL. tractatus; cf. L. tractatus a handling, treatment, consultation, tractate. See Treat, and cf. Tractate.]

1. The act of treating for the adjustment of differences, as for forming an agreement; negotiation. "By sly and wise treaty." --Chaucer.

He cast by treaty and by trains Her to persuade. --Spenser.

2. An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or more independent states; as, a treaty of peace; a treaty of alliance.

3. A proposal tending to an agreement. [Obs.] --Shak.

4. A treatise; a tract. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : treaty
Spanish: tratado,
German: der Vertrag,
Japanese: 協定
More Translations »

treaty 
c.1386, "treatment, discussion," from O.Fr. traité "assembly, agreement, treaty," from L. tractatus "discussion, handling," from tractare "to handle, manage" (see treat). Sense of "contract between nations" is first recorded 1430.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

Main Entry: trea·ty
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural treaties
Etymology: Anglo-French treté, from Middle French traité, from Medieval Latin tractatus, from Latin, handling, treatment, from tractare to treat, handle
1 : the action of treating and esp. of negotiating
2 : an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: as a : PRIVATE TREATY b : a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state treaties —U.S. Constitution article II> —compare EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT
3 : a document embodying a negotiated agreement or contract
4 : an agreement or contract (as between companies) providing for treaty reinsurance
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see treaty on Thesaurus | Reference