Beaut['e] 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}.
Note: By many authorities champerty is defined as an
agreement of this nature. From early times the offence
of champerty has been forbidden and punishable.