arbitrator
UK[ˈɑːbɪtreɪtə(r)]US[ˈɑːrbɪtreɪtər]
n
a person who is chosen to settle a disagreement between two people or groups
n
a person with the official power to settle disputes or judge something, especially in a specific field
Morpheme Breakdown
arbitrat
or
arbitrat
e) (to judge
or
person who does
Etymology
the word 'arbitrator' originates from the latin verb arbitrari, meaning 'to give a decision' or 'to judge,' which itself is derived from arbiter, meaning 'a judge' or 'an onlooker.' this latin root is thought to be connected to the idea of someone who goes to see or examine a situation, possibly from the proto-indo-european root meaning 'to go.' the suffix '-or' is a classic latin agent-noun ending, specifying a person who performs the action of the verb. thus, an arbitrator is literally 'one who judges,' a meaning that has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient legal origins to its modern usage in formal dispute resolution.
Analysis
Structure: arbitrat(e) (to judge) + or (person who does)
arbitrat(e) - from latin arbitratus, the past participle of arbitrari (to judge, give a decision). or - from latin -or, a suffix forming agent nouns indicating a person who performs an action.
Examples
the company and the union agreed to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the contract dispute.
in many sports, the referee acts as the final arbitrator on matters of rule interpretation during a match.
she served as the arbitrator in the complex legal case, carefully weighing the evidence from both sides.