ephor

[ ef-awr, ef-er ]

noun

, plural eph·ors, eph·or·i [ef, -, uh, -rahy].

1. one of a body of magistrates in various ancient Dorian states, especially at Sparta, where a body of five was elected annually by the people.

ephor

/ ˈɛfɔː /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) one of a board of senior magistrates in any of several Dorian states, esp the five Spartan ephors, who were elected by vote of all full citizens and who wielded effective power

Derived Forms

• ˈephoral, adjective
• ˈephorate, noun

Other Words From

• ephor·al adjective
• eph·or·ate [ef, -, uh, -reyt, -er-it], eph·or·al·ty [ef, -er-, uh, l-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephor¹

1580–90; < Latin ephorus < Greek éphoros overseer, guardian, ruler (Compare ephorân to look over, equivalent to ep- ep- + horân to see, look)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephor¹

C16: from Greek ephoros, from ephoran to supervise, from epi- + horan to look

Example Sentences

He also gave out that he intended to remain in office as Ephor for the next year as well.

From Project Gutenberg

Fixed antiquities must be reported by the discoverer to the Ephor General or one of the ephors of antiquities or other official.

From Project Gutenberg

He was here met by Diphridas the Ephor, who brought him orders to invade Bœotia immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon this the same Ephor asked him whether he repented of what he had done.

From Project Gutenberg

Ephor, ef′or, n. a class of magistrates whose office apparently originated at Sparta, being peculiar to the Doric states.

From Project Gutenberg