Definition of "treaty"

(countable, international law) A formal binding agreement concluded by subjects of international law, namely, states and international organizations; a convention, a pact.  quotations  examples

(archaic)

1. (uncountable) Chiefly in in treaty: discussions or negotiations in order to reach an agreement.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • To a meeting of the executors of late Viscsse Mordaunt's estate, to consider of the sale of Parsons Greene; being in treaty with Mr. Loftus, and to settle the halfe yeare's account.

     1680 May 10 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, page 519

2. (countable) Chiefly in private treaty: an agreement or settlement reached following negotiations; a compact, a contract, a covenant.  examples

(obsolete)

1. (uncountable) The manner or process of treating someone or something; treatment; also, the manner in which someone or something acts or behaves; behaviour.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Hoſ[t]. They call me Good-ſtock. / Lov[el]. Sir, and you confeſſe it, / Both i'your language, treaty, and your bearing.

     1629 (first performance), B[en] Jonson, The Nevv Inne. Or, The Light Heart. […], London: […] Thomas Harper, for Thomas Alchorne, […], published 1631, Act I, scene iii

2. (uncountable) The addressing or consideration of a subject; discussion, treatment.  examples

3. (countable) A formal, systematic discourse on some subject; a treatise.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • And though Galen doth ſometime nibble at Moſes, and beſide the Apoſtate Chriſtian, ſome Heathens have queſtioned his Philoſophicall part or treaty of the Creation: Yet is there ſurely no reaſonable Pagan, that will not admire the rationall and well grounded precepts of Chriſt; […]

     1650, Thomas Browne, “Of the Second Cause of Popular Errors; the Erroneous Disposition of the People”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], 1st book, page 7

   • The Miniſters in Holland did upon this occaſion ſhew a very particular violence. In their ſermons, and in ſome printed treaties, they charged the Judges with corruption, who had carried the ſentence no farther than to baniſhment: And compared the fate of the De Wits to Haman’s.

     1724, [Gilbert] Burnet, “Book II. Of the First Twelve Years of the Reign of King Charles II. from the Year 1660 to the Year 1673.”, in [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], editor, Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time. […], volume I, London: […] Thomas Ward […], page 326

4. (countable) An act of beseeeching or entreating; an entreaty, a plea, a request.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Now I must / To the young man ſend humble Treaties, dodge / And palter in the ſhifts of lovvnes, vvho / VVith halfe the bulke o' th' vvorld plaid as I pleas'd, / Making, and marring Fortunes.

     c. 1606–1607, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene xi], page 356, column 1

(transitive) To get into (a specific situation) through a treaty.  examples

(intransitive) To enter into a treaty.  examples