n. pl. bar·ra·tries 1. The act or practice of bringing a groundless lawsuit or lawsuits. 2. An unlawful breach of duty on the part of a ship's master or crew resulting in injury to the ship's owner. 3. Sale or purchase of positions in church or state. [Middle English barratrie, the sale of church offices, from Old French baraterie, deception, malversation, from barater, to cheat; see BARRATOR.] barra·trous (-trəs) adj. barra·trous·ly adv. |
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