[trea.ty] n, pl treaties [ME tretee, fr. MF traite, fr. ML tractatus, fr. L, handling, treatment, fr. tractare to treat, handle] (14c) 1: the action of treating and esp. of negotiating
2. a: an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: (1): private treaty (2): a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usu. ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state b: a document in which such a contract is set down