[a. OF. arbitratour, -eur, 13th c., ad. L. arbitrātōr-em, n. of agent f. arbitrā-ri: see ARBITER and ARBITRER.]
1. One who is chosen by the opposite parties in a dispute to arrange or decide the difference between them; an arbiter.
It is often the practice to appoint two or more arbitrators, with an umpire, chosen usually by them, as final referee. Arbitrator is now the legal term, arbiter remaining as a literary word.
1424. Paston Lett., 4, I. 14. The seyd arbitrement and ordinaunce of the seyd arbitratores.
1598. Kitchin, Courts Leet (1675), 182. One juror was chosen arbitrator for one party.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 21. Ane ordinar Judge may be ane Arbitratour, or amicabill compositor [cf. ARBITER 2].
1809. Tomlins, Law Dict., s.v. Award, The arbitrator has a jurisdiction over the costs of the action.
1866. Motley, Dutch Rep., VI. i. 793. In case of their inability to agree, they were to appoint arbitrators.
† 2. Hence fig. of that which brings about a definite issue. Obs.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. v. 28. The Arbitrator of Despaires, Iust Death, kinde Vmpire of men’s miseries. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., IV. iii. 225. That old common Arbitrator, Time, Will one day end it.
3. One who decides or ordains according to his own absolute pleasure; a supreme ordainer; = ARBITER 3.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., I. (1599), 22. The only arbitrator and oracle of all Italy.
1675. Crowne, Androm., v. 44. Who made thee arbitratour of his fate?
1737. Whiston, Joseph. Wars, I. x. § 9. God is the arbitrator of success in war.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers of Flor., i. 10. The Church as the grand arbitrator of all national concerns.
