‖ arrha
(ˈærə)
Pl. -æ. Also 6 arra.
[L. arr(h)a, also arr(h)abo, a. Gr. ἀρραβών. See Liddell and Scott. Cf. arles.]
Earnest-money, a part of the purchase-money given to ratify a contract; fig. a pledge.
| 1573 Anderson Hymn Bened. 4 b (T.) By his spirite..we have..our arra and earnest penny of his assured covenant. 1754 Erskine Princ. Sc. Law (1809) 308 Arrhæ, or earnest, is sometimes given by the buyer, as an evidence that the contract is perfected. |