[ad. L. emptiōn-em buying, n. of action f. emĕ-re to buy.]
1. The action of buying: chiefly in phrases, Right of (sole) emption, etc., or with allusion to 2.
1461–83. Ord. R. Househ., 73. The chief Butler … taketh his resceytes of money … of the Thesaurer … for all the emptiones of his office.
1736. Carte, Ormonde, I. 140. The proclamation for the sole emption … was offered to be revoked.
1783. Burke, Report Affairs India, Wks. 1842, XI. 143. By a limitation of the right of emption of foreign opium.
2. Roman Law. Purchase, in the contract of sale (L. emptio, as correlated with venditio).
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 241. There is emption and vendition contracted as soon as the parties be condescended upon the price.
1727. Arbuthnot, Coins, 5 (T.). There is a dispute among the Lawyers, whether Glaucus his exchanging his golden Armour with the brasen one of Tydides was to be reckon’d emption or commutation.
