n.; pl. Treaties [ OE. tretee, F. traité, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
He cast by treaty and by trains
Her to persuade. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. A proposal tending to an agreement. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. A treatise; a tract. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]