1. One who assures, authorizes or guarantees (something).
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. i. 5. That oure faithe resteth not upon men … but that the liuing God is the author and will also be the warranter thereof.
1628. trans. Mathieu’s Powerfull Favorite, 19. Piso … assuring himselfe that his warranter should be his Iudge, coueted rather to depend on the authoritie of one alone, then on the passion of many.
1642. H. More, Song of Soul, To Rdr. 7/1. I would be so understood, as a Representer of the Wisdome of the Ancients rather then a warranter of the same.
1800. Coleridge, Piccolomini, I. xii. 182. If I stand warranter of the event, Placing my honour and my head in pledge. Ibid. (1834), Remorse, I. ii. 133. ’Twas little probable, that Don Ordonio,… Should prove the patron of this infidel! The warranter [earlier edd. guarantee] of a Moresco’s faith!
† 2. One who assures (another) of safety; a protector. Obs. rare.
1611. Cotgr., Garent, a Warranter, Protector, Defendor; [etc.].
c. 1800. Capt. Car, v. in Child, Ballads, III. 436/1. Come doun and speak to me; I’ll kep thee in a feather bed, And thy warraner I will be.
3. Law. = WARRANTOR1.
1706. [see WARRANTEE 1].
1848. Wharton, Law Lex., s.v. Warrant, A warrenter may except, that the complainant does not hold the land of which he seeks the warranty.
