publican
Chiefly British. a person who owns or manages a tavern; the keeper of a pub.
Roman History. a person who collected public taxes.
any collector of taxes, tolls, tribute, or the like.
Origin of publican
1Words Nearby publican
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use publican in a sentence
The profits were beyond all reason, and the word publican became a synonym for sinner.
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone JohnstonYou have taxed and controlled the brewer and the publican until the outraged Liquor Interest has become a national danger.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George WellsIf he decline, there is nothing left but excommunication: "Let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew | John Monro GibsonIt was a severer trial for the publican, “To-day I must abide with thee,” than the mere summons to “Make haste, and come down.”
The Hearth-Stone | Samuel OsgoodThe poor publican made use of both in his prayer: "God be merciful to me a sinner."
Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire | Thomas Coleman
British Dictionary definitions for publican
/ (ˈpʌblɪkən) /
(in Britain) a person who keeps a public house
(in ancient Rome) a public contractor, esp one who farmed the taxes of a province
Origin of publican
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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