barratry meaning and definition

BARRATRY noun

Definition of barratry (noun)

1. traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments
   • synonyms: simony
2. the crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery
3. (maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo
4. the offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels