Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Champerty \Cham"per*ty\, n. [F. champart field rent, L.
   campipars; champ (L. campus) field + part (L. pars) share.]
   1. Partnership in power; equal share of authority. [Obs.]

            Beaut['e] ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardyness, Ne
            may with Venus holde champartye.      --Chaucer.

   2. (Law) The prosecution or defense of a suit, whether by
      furnishing money or personal services, by one who has no
      legitimate concern therein, in consideration of an
      agreement that he shall receive, in the event of success,
      a share of the matter in suit; maintenance with the
      addition of an agreement to divide the thing in suit. See
      {Maintenance}.

   Note: By many authorities champerty is defined as an
         agreement of this nature. From early times the offence
         of champerty has been forbidden and punishable.