quaestor

American  

[kwes-ter, kwee-ster] / ˈkwɛs tər, ˈkwi stər /

Or questor

noun

Roman History.

1. one of two subordinates of the consuls serving as public prosecutors in certain criminal cases.

2. (later) one of the public magistrates in charge of the state funds, as treasury officers or those attached to the consuls and provincial governors.

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quaestor British  

/ ˈkwɛstə, -tɔː, ˈkwiːstə, kwɛˈstɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. any of several magistrates of ancient Rome, usually a financial administrator

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Other Word Forms

• quaestorial
  adjective
• quaestorship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of quaestor

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English questor, from Latin quaestor, equivalent to quaes-, base of quaerere “to seek” + -tor noun suffix; see -tor

Example Sentences

Begins his political career as Quaestor, partly at Rome, partly in Spain.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

To a ruler in Theodoric's position the acquisition of such a Quaestor as Cassiodorus was a most fortunate event.

From The Letters of Cassiodorus Being A Condensed Translation Of The Variae Epistolae Of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator by Hodgkin, Thomas

The stone bridge was built many years afterwards, when Aemilius was Quaestor.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume I by Stewart, Aubrey

The rank and duties of the Praetorian Praefect of Italy, the Master of the Offices, and the Quaestor have already been described in the first chapter.

From The Letters of Cassiodorus Being A Condensed Translation Of The Variae Epistolae Of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator by Hodgkin, Thomas

Ten years later he went to Spain as Quaestor, where he carried on his father's popularity, and by taking the people's side in some questions fell into disagreement with his brother-in-law.

From Caesar: a Sketch by Froude, James Anthony

Related Words

• officer