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Webster 1913 Edition
Arbiter
Ar′bi-ter
,Noun.
[L.
arbiter
; ar-
(for ad
) + the root of betere
to go; hence properly, one who comes up to look on.] 1.
A person appointed, or chosen, by parties to determine a controversy between them.
☞ In modern usage, arbitrator is the technical word.
2.
Any person who has the power of judging and determining, or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is not limited.
For Jove is
arbiter
of both to man. Cowper.
Syn. – Arbitrator; umpire; director; referee; controller; ruler; governor.
Ar′bi-ter
,Verb.
T.
To act as arbiter between.
[Obs.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Arbiter
'ARBITER
,Noun.
1.
A person appointed, or chosen by parties in controversy, to decide their differences. This is its sense in the civil law. In modern usage, arbitrator is the technical word.2.
In a general sense, now most common, a person who has the power of judging and determining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is not limited.3.
One that commands the destiny, or holds the empire of a nation or state.