conscript fathers

American  

plural noun

1. the senators of ancient Rome.

2. any legislators.

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conscript fathers British  

plural noun

1. literary august legislators, esp Roman senators

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Etymology

Origin of conscript fathers

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Stricken in the midst of this service, in the very act of rising to debate, he fell into the arms of conscript fathers of the Republic.

From Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams Sixth President of the Unied States by Seward, William Henry

They claim to take with them the right to condemn as a felon the man who may utter and maintain the Declaration of Independence, or the opinions of the conscript fathers of the Republic.

From Slavery: What it was, what it has done, what it intends to do Speech of Hon. Cydnor B. Tompkins, of Ohio by Tompkins, Cydnor Bailey

Why do ye hesitate, Romans, and you, conscript fathers, to take up arms under the direction of the gods?

From The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08 by Livius, Titus

Every evil, conscript fathers, which captured cities suffer, we have suffered, and do now as much as ever suffer.

From The History of Rome, Books 27 to 36 by Livius, Titus

Patres conscripti, pā′tres kon-skrip′tī, n.pl. conscript fathers: the senators of ancient Rome.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various