quo warranto


quo war·ran·to

noun
\ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō, -ˈran-; -ˈwr-ən-ˌtō, -ˈwär-\

Definition of QUO WARRANTO

1
a : an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty b : a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2
: the legal action begun by a quo warranto

Origin of QUO WARRANTO

Middle English quo waranto, from Medieval Latin quo warranto by what warrant; from the wording of the writ
First Known Use: 15th century

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