Cham"per*ty (?), n. [F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.]
1.
Partnership in power; equal share of authority.
[Obs.]
Beaut'e ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye.
Chaucer.
2. Law
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.
⇒ By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable.
© Webster 1913.