rebutter, n.
(rɪˈbʌtə(r))
[In sense 1, a. AF. rebuter (see rebut v. and -er4); in 2, partly f. rebut v. + -er1.]
1. Law. a. An answer made by a defendant to a plaintiff's surrejoinder.
| 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 30 §1 Replycacyons, reioynders, rebutters,..and other pleadynges. 1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. i. iv. 25 Formal precidents of..rejoynders, surrejoynders, rebutters, issues. a 1734 North Exam. iii. viii. §61 (1740) 630 Of all the several Pleas,..Rebutters, Sur⁓rebutters &c. the Public were made Judges by the Favour of the Press. 1770 Foote Lame Lover ii. Wks. 1799 II. 71 Rebutters, sur-rebutters, replications.., and imparlance. 1875 Poste Gaius iv. §129. |
| transf. 1599 Broughton's Lett. v. 17 It had been too much for any such..to haue aduanced a Rebutter against his Grace. 1613 Chapman Rev. Bussy D'Ambois Wks. 1873 II. 176 Ioyne in mee all your rages, and rebutters. |
† b. (See
quots.)
Obs.| 1607 Cowell Interpr. s.v., The Donnee..repelleth the heire, because though the land were intailed to him: yet he is heire to the warranty likewise; and this is called a Rebutter. a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 378 If the sonne bring an action to recouer the land, he shall be barred by the warrantie made by his father, and this is called a Rebutter. 1658 Phillips, Rebutter, a Term in Law, is, when the Donnee by virtue of a Warranty made by the Donour repelleth the Heir. |
† c. (See
quot.)
Obs.| 1607 Cowell Interpr. s.v., If I graunt to my tenent to hould sine impetitione vasti, and afterward I impede him for waste made, he may debarre me of this action, by shewing my graunt, and this is likewise a Rebutter. |
2. That which rebuts, repels, refutes, etc.; a refutation.
| 1794 Godwin Cal. Williams 170 Surely, it is no sufficient rebutter of a criminal charge [etc.]. 1829 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 181 If they have received a rebutter for their pains, they must ascribe it to the fatality which prompted them to folly. 1868 Daily News 3 Aug., The constitutional course which the Queen has adopted..is a sufficient rebutter of the suspicion. |
Hence
† reˈbutter v. intr., to make a rebutter
to (a statement); to reply.
| 1715 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. Pref. 30 An English Fryar.., writ a Pamphlet, which he call'd, The Case Re⁓stated; which was presently reply'd to..in a Pamphlet, styl'd, The Case truly stated; which has been again rebutter'd to, by another Missioner. |