Cham"per*ty (?), n. [F. champart field rent, L. campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.] 1. Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [Obs.]

Beauté ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness,
Ne may with Venus holde champartye.
Chaucer.

2. (Law) The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success, a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See Maintenance.

&fist; By many authorities champerty is defined as an agreement of this nature. From early times the offence of champerty has been forbidden and punishable.