n. One who champs, or bites. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. champarteur a divider of fields or field rent. See Champerty. ] (Law) One guilty of champerty; one who purchases a suit, or the right of suing, and carries it on at his own expense, in order to obtain a share of the gain. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share. ]
Beauté ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable. [ 1913 Webster ]