Trea"ty (?), n.; pl. Treaties (#). [OE. tretee, F. trait'e, 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.
© Webster 1913.