Ŭm'pīre1, n.
n. [O. Eng. impier, umpier, also nom-peyr, noumpere, from Fr. impair, nompair, uneven, i. e., a third, from pair, O. Fr. par, per, peer, pair, even, peer, Lat. par. See IMPAIR and PEER.]
Sense 1. A third person, to whose sole decision a controversy or question between parties is referred.
A man, in questions of this kind, is able to be a skillful umpire between himself and others. Barrow.
Sense 2. (Law.) A third person, who is to decide a controversy or question submitted to arbitrators, in case of their disagreement. Blackstone.
Synonyms—Judge; arbitrator; referee. See JUDGE.