Trea"ty (?), n.;
pl. Treaties (#). [OE. tretee, F. traité, 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.
Hear it pronounced