Quo" war*ran"to (?). [So called from the Law L. words quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form of the writ. See Which, and Warrant.] Law
A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.
Blackstone.
⇒ An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now common as a substitute for the writ.
Wharton.
© Webster 1913.