arbiter

arbiter
    n 1: someone with the power to settle matters at will; "she was
         the final arbiter on all matters of fashion" [syn:
         {arbiter}, {supreme authority}]
    2: someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue; "the
       critic was considered to be an arbiter of modern literature";
       "the arbitrator's authority derived from the consent of the
       disputants"; "an umpire was appointed to settle the tax case"
       [syn: {arbiter}, {arbitrator}, {umpire}]
    

Arbiter \Ar"bi*ter\, n. [L. arbiter; ar- (for ad) + the root of
   betere to go; hence properly, one who comes up to look on.]
   1. A person appointed, or chosen, by parties to determine a
      controversy between them.
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   Note: In modern usage, arbitrator is the technical word.
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   2. Any person who has the power of judging and determining,
      or ordaining, without control; one whose power of deciding
      and governing is not limited.
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            For Jove is arbiter of both to man.   --Cowper.
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   Syn: Arbitrator; umpire; director; referee; controller;
        ruler; governor.
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Arbiter \Ar"bi*ter\, v. t.
   To act as arbiter between. [Obs.]
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ARBITER. One who, decides without any control. A judge with the most
extensive arbitrary powers; an arbitrator.
    

37 Moby Thesaurus words for "arbiter":
      JP, Justice, amateur, arbiter elegantiarum, arbiter of taste,
      arbitrator, authority, bencher, bon vivant, cognoscente, collector,
      connaisseur, connoisseur, critic, dilettante, epicure, epicurean,
      expert, good judge, gourmand, gourmet, his honor, his lordship,
      his worship, impartial arbitrator, indicator, judge, justice,
      magistrate, maven, moderator, referee, refined palate, third party,
      umpire, unbiased observer, virtuoso