arbitrator, arbitratoure

[In Fr. arbitrateur; Sp. & Port. arbitrador. From Lat. arbitrator = a lord, master, or ruler.] A. Ordinary Language: L. Of persons: 11. A ruler or governor. (Applied by Milton to the Supreme Being.) Though heaven be shut, And heaven's high Arbitrator sit secure In his own strength, Milton: P. L., bk. ii. 2. He who occupies so high a position, for the moment at least, that he can settle disputes as he himself thinks fit, and enforce the award he makes. "Another Blenheim or Ramillies will make the confederates masters of their own terms, and arbitrators of a peace."-Add is on: On the State of the War. 3. A person or even a public body invited or permitted to decide between contending parties who do not wish to go to law. [ARBITRATION.] yet he adviseth that Christian arbitrators be appointed for decision of emergent questions."Jeremy Taylor: Of Lawsuits. Works (ed. 1839), vol. iii., p. 60. "Instead of this, the senate is convened, and appears to occupy the position of arbitrator and mediator between the decemvirs and the plebs."-Lewis: Early Rom. Hist ., ch, xil., pt. iii, § 54. IL. Of things: That which finally settles anything. "And that old common arbitrator , time, Will one day end it." Shakesp.: Troil. & Cre ., iv. 5. "Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools! Unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators !" Ibid. Tarquin and Lucrece. B. Technically: 285 Law : A person appointed to settle disputes between contending parties who otherwise would probably engage in litigation, if indeed they have not done so already. "The arbitrator may settle and determine the matters and questions by this Act referred to him, not only in accordance with the legal and equitable rights of the parties as recognised at law or in equity, but also on such terms, and in such manner, in all respects, as he in his absolute and unfettered discretion may think fit, just, and expedient, and as fully and effectually as could be done by Act of Parlia ment."-Epping Forest Act (1878), 41 & 42 'Vict., ch. ecxiii., § 10 (2)