'Quo warranto' definitions:
Definition of 'quo warranto'
(from WordNet)
noun
A hearing to determine by what authority someone has an office or franchise or liberty
Definition of 'Quo warranto'
From: GCIDE
- Quo warranto \Quo` war*ran"to\ (kw[=o]` w[o^]r*r[a^]n"t[-o]). [So called from the Law L. words quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form of the writ. See Which, and Warrant.] (Law) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
- Note: An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now common as a substitute for the writ. --Wharton. [1913 Webster]