noun
also cham·par·ty -d.ē
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English champartie, modification (probably influenced by Middle English partie part) of Middle French champart field rent, from champ field (from Latin campus ) + part portion — more at camp , part
: a proceeding, illegal in many jurisdictions, by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense by furnishing money or personal services in consideration of his receiving a share of the matter in suit : maintenance with the addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit