sponsion

[ spon-shuhn ]

noun

1. an engagement or promise, especially one made on behalf of another.
2. International Law. an engagement made on behalf of a government by an agent acting beyond their authority or without the required authorization and therefore not binding on the government unless ratified.
3. the act of becoming surety for another.

sponsion

/ ˈspɒnʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of becoming surety; sponsorship
2. often plural international law an unauthorized agreement made by a public officer, esp an admiral or general in time of war, requiring ratification by the government of the state concerned
3. any act or promise, esp one made on behalf of someone else

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponsion¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin spōnsiōn- (stem of spōnsiō ) “guarantee,” equivalent to spōns(us) (past participle of spondēre “to pledge”) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponsion¹

C17: from Latin sponsiō, from spondēre to pledge

Example Sentences

Not only was the Church more strict in this matter in Scotland than in England, but the nature of the sponsion was different.

From Project Gutenberg

When an agreement is made by an officer who has not the proper authority or who has exceeded the limits of his authority, it is termed a sponsion, and, to be binding, must be confirmed by express or tacit ratification.

From Project Gutenberg

Associated words: sponsorial, sponsorship, sponsion, ward, protégé. spontaneous, a. instinctive, voluntary, impulsive, unforced spontaneous generation. abiogenesis. spook, n. ghost, spirit, specter, apparition, phantom, hobgoblin. spooney, a.

From Project Gutenberg