Both Uses of
arbiter
in
War and Peace
- In 1809 the intimacy between "the world's two arbiters," as Napoleon and Alexander were called, was such that when Napoleon declared war on Austria a Russian corps crossed the frontier to co-operate with our old enemy Bonaparte against our old ally the Emperor of Austria, and in court circles the possibility of marriage between Napoleon and one of Alexander's sisters was spoken of.†
Chpt 5
- Princess Mary, in her position as absolute and independent arbiter of her own fate and guardian and instructor of her nephew, was the first to be called back to life from that realm of sorrow in which she had dwelt for the first fortnight.†
Chpt 15 *
Definition:
-
(arbiter) someone who settles disputes -- often because of reputation
or:
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue