from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cartel \Car*tel"\, n. [F., fr. LL. cartellus a little paper,
dim. fr. L. charta. See 1st {Card}.]
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1. (Mil.) An agreement between belligerents for the exchange
of prisoners. --Wilhelm.
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2. A letter of defiance or challenge; a challenge to single
combat. [Obs.]
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He is cowed at the very idea of a cartel., --Sir W.
Scott.
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{Cartel}, or {Cartel ship}, a ship employed in the exchange
of prisoners, or in carrying propositions to an enemy; a
ship beating a flag of truce and privileged from capture.
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