barrator

Definitions

1. One who is guilty of barratry, vexing others with frequent and often groundless lawsuits; a brangler and pettifogger.
2. One who abuses their office by dealing fraudulently.
   obsolete
3. One who buys or sells political or ecclesiastic offices.
   obsolete
4. A judge who accepts bribes.
5. A ship's master who commits gross fraud or barratry.
6. A quarrelsome person, one who fights, a bully.
   archaic

Equivalents

Examples

“But by Hawk. P. C. bk. 1, c. 21, if such suits are merely groundless, and brought only with a design⟳ to oppress the defendants, such a man may as properly be called a barrator as if he had stirred up others to bring⟳ them.”

“I care not though men call⟳ me impudent, / Smooth-tongu'd, audacious, petulant, abhominable, / Forger of vvords and lie⟳, contentious Barretour, / Old, vvinding, bragging, teſty, crafty fox.”

CEFR level