praetor

or pre·tor

[ pree-ter ]

noun

1. (in the ancient Roman republic) one of a number of elected magistrates charged chiefly with the administration of civil justice and ranking next below a consul.

praetor

/ ˈpriːtə; -tɔː /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) any of several senior magistrates ranking just below the consuls

Derived Forms

• ˈpraetorship, noun
• praeˈtorial, adjective

Other Words From

• prae·to·ri·al [pree-, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of praetor¹

1375–1425; late Middle English pretor < Latin praetor, for *praeitor leader, literally, one going before, equivalent to *praei-, variant stem of praeīre to go before, lead ( prae- prae- + -i-, base of īre to go) + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of praetor¹

C15: from Latin: one who leads the way, probably from praeīre, from prae- before + īre to go

Example Sentences

While fans of the show view the ruthless Roman praetor as “the villain they love to hate,” the actor says Quintus sees a different man in the mirror.

From Washington Times

Congress has given authority over prescription medicines to the executive branch, not some Panhandle praetor.

From Washington Post

Now he saw a single rider—Reyna, the praetor from Camp Jupiter—flying through a storm on the back of a light-brown pegasus.

From Literature

Yet he joined to his wickedness such strength of mind and body, that when he entered upon a military career, he rose through the ranks to become praetor of Syracuse.

From Literature

Over his jeans and orange Camp Half-Blood T-shirt, he’d donned a toga and a purple cloak—symbols of his old rank as praetor.

From Literature