arbitrer

Arbitrer is a French verb meaning to act as an arbitrator or referee. In dispute resolution, it denotes deciding a matter by arbitration, typically by an impartial third party whose ruling is binding. In sports and competitions, arbitrer means to officiate a match, applying rules and making decisions on plays or fouls. The related noun is arbitre, referring to the official who referees, and the process is called arbitrage; the formal outcome is the sentence arbitrale.

Etymology and scope: arbitrer derives from Old French arbitre (the noun) and Latin arbifer or arbiter, meaning judge or umpire. The verb form follows regular -er conjugation patterns in French.

Usage and contexts: In legal and commercial contexts, phrases such as "arbitrer un litige" or "recourir à l'arbitrage" describe resolving disputes outside courts. The sentence issued by the arbitrator is called la sentence arbitrale and is usually binding. In sports journalism, one might note that "l'arbitre a sifflé" or "l'arbitre arbitrera le match." The verb is common in both formal and everyday language when referring to officiating or resolving disputes.

Conjugation and forms: Arbitrer is a regular -er verb. Examples include je arbitrerai, tu arbitreras, il arbitrera; nous arbitrerons, vous arbitrerez, ils arbitreront. The passé composé uses avoir: j'ai arbitré. The imperfect is j'arbitrais, the conditional j'arbitrerais, and the present participle is arbitrant.

See also: arbitrage, arbitre, arbitration.