\Cham"per*ty\, n. [F. champart field rent, L.
campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.]
1. Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [Obs.]
         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.