quo warranto Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a hearing to determine by what authority someone has an office or franchise or liberty

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.