Pronunciation: ˌ kw ō -w ə - ' rän-( ˌ )t ō , - ' ran-; - ' wo ̇ r- ə n- ˌ t ō , - ' wär-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English quo waranto, from Medieval Latin quo warranto by what warrant; from the wording of the writ
Date: 15th century
1 a : an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty b : a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2 : the legal action begun by a quo warranto