Advertisement

Advertisement

lictor

[ lik-ter ]

noun

  1. (in ancient Rome) one of a body of attendants on chief magistrates, who preceded them carrying the fasces and whose duties included executing the sentences of criminals.


lictor

/ ˈlɪktə /

noun

  1. one of a group of ancient Roman officials, usually bearing fasces, who attended magistrates, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Words From

  • lic·to·ri·an [lik-, tawr, -ee-, uh, n, -, tohr, -], adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lictor1

1580–90; < Latin; compare Middle English littoures
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lictor1

C16 lictor, C14 littour, from Latin ligāre to bind
Discover More

Example Sentences

He might assume Lincoln had been a lictor, a Roman official who served as a sort of bodyguard to elected magistrates.

Almachius, then, who dreaded the consequences of bringing so noble and courageous a victim to public execution, sent a lictor to behead her in her own palace, but he executed his office so ill, that she still lived after the third blow of his axe, after which the Roman law forbade that a victim should be stricken again.

Plutarch says; “Such was the quantity of spices brought in by the women, at Sylla’s funeral, that, exclusive of those carried in two hundred and ten great baskets, a figure of Sylla at full length, and of a lictor besides, was made entirely of cinnamon, and the choicest frankincense.”

I, lictor, manibusque audacibus injice vinc'la: Injecit lictor vincula, et arma dedit.

Oleo parat urere lictor: Sed quem uri lictor credidit, unctus erat.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


licorice sticklid