ARBITER

arbiter, arbitrator, umpire

(noun) someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue; “the critic was considered to be an arbiter of modern literature”; “the arbitrator’s authority derived from the consent of the disputants”; “an umpire was appointed to settle the tax case”

arbiter, supreme authority

(noun) someone with the power to settle matters at will; “she was the final arbiter on all matters of fashion”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

arbiter (plural arbiters)

A person appointed, or chosen, by parties to determine a controversy between them; an arbitrator.

(with of) A person or object having the power of judging and determining, or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding and governing is not limited.

(electronics) A component in circuitry that allocates scarce resources.

Verb

arbiter (third-person singular simple present arbiters, present participle arbitering, simple past and past participle arbitered)

(transitive) To act as arbiter.

Anagrams

• rarebit

Source: Wiktionary

Ar"bi*ter, n. Etym: [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.

Note: 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, v. t.

Definition: To act as arbiter between. [Obs.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition