Trea"ty (?), 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.
He cast by treaty and by trains
Her to persuade.
Spenser.
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.
3. A proposal tending to an agreement. [Obs.]
Shak.
4. A treatise; a tract. [Obs.] Sir T.
Browne.