dicast

[dahy-kast, dik-ast]

noun

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

dicast

/ ˈdɪkæst /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• dicastic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicast¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicast¹

C19: from Greek dikastēs, from dikazein to judge, from dikē right, judgment, order

Example Sentences

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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