magistracy

[ maj-uh-struh-see ]

noun

, plural mag·is·tra·cies.

1. the office or function of a magistrate.
2. a body of magistrates.
3. the district under a magistrate.

magistracy

/ ˈmædʒɪstrəsɪ; ˈmædʒɪstrəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. the office or function of a magistrate
2. magistrates collectively
3. the district under the jurisdiction of a magistrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of magistracy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; magistr(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

“The prosecuting magistracy has once again acted like a lawyer, when people charged with corruption are involved.”

From Seattle Times

"These new guidelines will further help ensure the consistent effectiveness of the magistracy," he said.

From BBC

Hamilton asked: “How could they better gratify this, than by raising a creature of their own to the chief magistracy of the Union?”

From Washington Post

"The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice concluded that this behaviour amounted to serious misconduct and have removed Mr Atwal from the magistracy."

From BBC

"So far as the magistracy is concerned, its unique characteristic as a voluntary body of lay judicial office holders must be preserved; so too, the independence of the legal advice it receives."

From The Guardian

Related Words

• administration
• arbitration
• authority
• command
• commission
• control
• discretion
• district
• domination
• influence
• power
• prerogative
• purview
• rule
• scope
• sovereignty
• supervision
• territory
• zone