Treaty \Trea"ty\, n.; pl. Treaties. [OE. tretee, F. trait['e],
LL. tractatus; cf. L. tractatus a handling, treatment,
consultation, tractate. See Treat, and cf. Tractate.]
1. The act of treating for the adjustment of differences, as
for forming an agreement; negotiation. ``By sly and wise
treaty.'' --Chaucer.
He cast by treaty and by trains Her to persuade.
--Spenser.
2. An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league,
or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns,
formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and
solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the
supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or
more independent states; as, a treaty of peace; a treaty
of alliance.
3. A proposal tending to an agreement. [Obs.]
--Shak.
4. A treatise; a tract. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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