quo warranto
noun
quo war·ran·to ˌkwō-wə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō 
-ˈran-
-ˈran- -ˈwȯr-ən-ˌtō,
-ˈwär-
1
a
: an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise, or liberty
b
: a legal proceeding for a like purpose begun by an information
2
: the legal action begun by a quo warranto
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The complaint asks Kaul to remedy the situation through a quo warranto action, or a challenge to Prehn's right to remain on the board after his term expired. 
Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021 This quo warranto business may feel airy and academic. Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine, 15 Feb. 2017 Chief Justice Jorge Labarga questioned why the court would wait until the appointments were made and a quo warranto claim was filed before resolving the conflict. Mary Ellen Klas, miamiherald, 1 Nov. 2017
Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 July 2021 This quo warranto business may feel airy and academic. Dahlia Lithwick, Slate Magazine, 15 Feb. 2017 Chief Justice Jorge Labarga questioned why the court would wait until the appointments were made and a quo warranto claim was filed before resolving the conflict. Mary Ellen Klas, miamiherald, 1 Nov. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle English quo waranto, from Medieval Latin quo warranto by what warrant; from the wording of the writ
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Legal Definition
quo warranto
noun
quo war·ran·to ˈkwō-wə-ˈran-tō, -ˈrän-
1
: an extraordinary writ requiring a person or corporation to show by what right or authority a public office or franchise is held or exercised
2
: a proceeding in the nature of a writ of quo warranto for determining by what authority or right an office or franchise is held or exercised and seeking as an extraordinary remedy the discontinuance of an unlawful exercise of office or franchise