quaestor

American  

[kwes-ter, kwee-ster] / ˈkwɛs tər, ˈkwi stər /

Or questor

noun

Roman History.

1. one of two subordinates of the consuls serving as public prosecutors in certain criminal cases.

2. (later) one of the public magistrates in charge of the state funds, as treasury officers or those attached to the consuls and provincial governors.

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quaestor British  

/ ˈkwɛstə, -tɔː, ˈkwiːstə, kwɛˈstɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. any of several magistrates of ancient Rome, usually a financial administrator

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Other Word Forms

• quaestorial adjective
• quaestorship noun

Etymology

Origin of quaestor

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English questor, from Latin quaestor, equivalent to quaes-, base of quaerere “to seek” + -tor noun suffix; -tor

Example Sentences

When he returned from his first political posting, as quaestor in Sicily, for instance, he imagined his fame would have spread far and wide.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Finita equestri militia designatus quaestor necdum senator aequatus senatoribus, etiam designatis tribunis plebei, partem exercitus ab urbe traditi ab Augusto perduxi ad filium eius.

From The Student's Companion to Latin Authors by Middleton, George

Lucan quaestor: famous as a reciter and pleader.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

He was quaestor in 75, and was sent to Lilybaeum to supervise the corn supply.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various

In 101 Hadrian was quaestor, in 105 tribune of the people, in 106 praetor.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various

Related Words

• officer