Treaties

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Treaty \Trea"ty\, n.; pl. {Treaties}. [OE. tretee, F. trait['e],
     LL. tractatus; cf. L. tractatus a handling, treatment,
     consultation, tractate. See {Treat}, and cf. {Tractate}.]
     1. The act of treating for the adjustment of differences, as
        for forming an agreement; negotiation. "By sly and wise
        treaty." --Chaucer.


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              He cast by treaty and by trains
              Her to persuade.                      --Spenser.
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     2. An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league,
        or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns,
        formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and
        solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the
        supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or
        more independent states; as, a treaty of peace; a treaty
        of alliance.
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     3. A proposal tending to an agreement. [Obs.] --Shak.
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     4. A treatise; a tract. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
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