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praetor

praetor

12 9.9
A Roman official elected each year who runs courts and handles legal cases
  • noun
  • /ˈprēˌtər/
  • Literature
translation icon : pretor
  • If you will excuse me, Praetor. I have an appointment with the Tholian ambassador.

Examples

  • In function, the magistrate's role in this stage approximates that of the Athenian archon or the Roman praetor.

    Academic text (1991)
  • This noble old building, built over the ruins of a Roman villa which had been lived in by a praetor in the old days of the Roman Empire, suited him admirably.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The Praetor's power has always been the Romulan fleet.

  • The new Praetor, someone called Shinzon, has requested a Federation envoy.

  • When he ran for praetor, he could only muster Sabidius and Panthera to stand beside him.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The citizens turned to the praetor for a fair judgment in their dispute.

  • As praetor, he oversaw the trials to ensure justice was served.

  • Feeling overwhelmed, the praetor requested additional legal counsel for the large case load.

Synonyms

pretor
vspraetor
  • Literature
9.9

An official in ancient Rome elected each year to make decisions in courts

is the traditional spelling for that office

How Senior

consul
  • Formal
56 6.6
praetor
  • Literature
12 9.9
quaestor
  • Archaic
9.9
clerk
273 2.5

Surface Forms

praetor singular
praetors plural

Etymology

Praetor comes from the Latin parts prae- ('before') and ire ('to go'), so it means 'one who goes before' or a leader. In ancient Rome a praetor was an elected official who ran the courts and decided legal cases, which explains why the word refers to someone who led and judged.