Word Study
champerty
CIDE DICTIONARY
champerty, n. [F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.].
- Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [1913 Webster]"Beauté ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye." [1913 Webster] - The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance. [1913 Webster]" By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
champerty, n. (pl. -ies) Law an illegal agreement in which a person not naturally interested in a lawsuit finances it with a view to sharing the disputed property.
Derivative
champertous adj.
Etymology
ME f. AF champartie f. OF champart feudal lord's share of produce, f. L campus field + pars part
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