treaty

trea·ty   (trē'tē)    n.   pl. trea·ties A formal agreement between two or more states, as in reference to terms of peace or trade. The document in which such an agreement is set down. Negotiation for the purpose of reaching an agreement. An entreaty. A contract or agreement. Obsolete Negotiation for the purpose of reaching an agreement. 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.]

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