dicast

American  

[dahy-kast, dik-ast] / ˈdaɪ kæst, ˈdɪk æst /

noun

1. (in ancient Athens) a citizen eligible to sit as a judge.

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dicast British  

/ ˈdɪkæst /

noun

1. (in ancient Athens) a juror in the popular courts chosen by lot from a list of citizens

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Other Word Forms

• dicastic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dicast

1700–10; < Greek dikastḗs a juryman, equivalent to *dikad-, base of dikázein to judge, determine (derivative of díkē right, law, order) + -tēs agentive suffix

Example Sentences

Dicast, Dikast, dī′kast, n. one of the 6000 Athenians annually chosen to act as judges.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

A juror or dicast would receive the same sum for attendance, and the courts or juries often consisted of 500 persons.

From Project Gutenberg

He extended enormously, if he did not originate, the practice of distributing gratuities among the citizens for military service, for acting as dicast and in the Ecclesia and the like, as well as for admission to the theatre—then really a great school for manners and instruction.

From Project Gutenberg

Philocleon is a bigoted devotee of the malady of litigiousness so typical of his countrymen and an enthusiastic attendant at the Courts in his capacity of 'dicast' or juryman.

From Project Gutenberg

The final part might almost be a separate play, under the title perhaps of 'The dicast turned gentleman,' and relates various ridiculous mistakes and laughable blunders committed by Philocleon, who, having given up his attendance on the law-courts, has set up for playing a part in polite society.

From Project Gutenberg