quo warranto

quo warranto [kwoh waw-ran-toh, wo-] Word Origin noun Law.

1. (formerly, in England) a writ calling upon a person to show by what authority he or she claims an office, franchise, or liberty.
2. (in England and the U.S.) a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding initiated to determine by what authority one has an office, franchise, or liberty.
3. the pleading initiating such a proceeding.

Origin of quo warranto 1250–1300; Middle English Medieval Latin quō warrantō by what warrant British Dictionary definitions for quo warranto quo warranto noun

1. law a proceeding initiated to determine or (formerly) a writ demanding by what authority a person claims an office, franchise, or privilege

Word Origin for quo warranto from Medieval Latin: by what warrant Word Origin and History for quo warranto

Medieval Latin, literally “by what warrant,” from quo “from, with, or by whom or what?,” ablative of interrogative pronoun quis “who?” (see who).