† arbitry Obs.
Forms: 4–6 arbitre, 5 arbytre, -try, 5–7 arbetrie, 6–7 arbitrie, 7 -ry.
[Two words: 1. Arbitre (e mute), a. OF. arbitre:—L. arbitrium judgement, will; 2. Arbitrie, -y, later ad. L. arbitri-um (cf. ministry). In 15th c. the spelling arbitre might represent either, as in cite, citie, city. OF. had also a rare arbitrie.]
1. Power to choose or act; own will or pleasure; arbitrary will.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. iii. 156 To distroien..Þe fredome of oure arbitre · þat is to seyn of oure fre wille. 1483 Caxton Cato E v, His free wylle and lyberalle arbytre for to doo hit or not. 1537 Instit. Chr. Man B vj b, At his owne godly wyl, arbitre and dispensation. 1649 Selden Laws of Eng. i. xxii. (1739) 40 Their rule..was made not by the arbitry of the General, but by Parliament. |
2. Arbitration.
| 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 132 Thair richtis bayth on arbetrie wes done. 1582–8 Hist. James VI (1804) 89 To putt thair mater in arbitrie. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 20 Arbitrie is ane lawfull deid of persons contendand. |
3. Decision, sentence, award.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 75 He suld that arbytre disclar. c 1615 Chapman Odyss. xi. 738 Though arbitry Of all a court of war pronounc'd it mine. |