lictor

American  

[lik-ter] / ˈlɪk tər /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) one of a body of attendants on chief magistrates, who preceded them carrying the fasces and whose duties included executing the sentences of criminals.

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lictor British  

/ ˈlɪktə /

noun

1. one of a group of ancient Roman officials, usually bearing fasces, who attended magistrates, etc

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lictorian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lictor

1580–90; < Latin; compare Middle English littoures

Example Sentences

He might assume Lincoln had been a lictor, a Roman official who served as a sort of bodyguard to elected magistrates.

From Washington Post • Oct. 1, 2022

"I have my orders, sir," replied the head lictor, menacingly.

From A Friend of Caesar A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C. by Davis, William Stearns

The lictor cried, "Sentence has been given," and bade Icilius give place.

From Stories From Livy by Pinelli, Bartolomeo

Medium erat tempus forte sementis, cum patricium virum innixum aratro suo lictor in 5 ipso opere deprehendit.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

Go, lictor, bind his hands, though but yesterday they won so great a dominion for the people of Rome.

From Stories From Livy by Pinelli, Bartolomeo