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

• lictorian
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of lictor

1580–90; < Latin; compare Middle English littoures

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lictor

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

In enterprises undertaken by the whole body, the supreme command was committed to one of the twelve lucumones, and he received a lictor from each city.

From Pinnock's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of Rome to which is prefixed an introduction to the study of Roman history, and a great variety of valuable information added throughout the work, on the manners, institutions, and antiquities of the Romans; with numerous biographical and historical notes; and questions for examination at the end of each section. By Wm. C. Taylor. by William Pinnock

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

From Stories From Livy by Bartolomeo Pinelli

Go, lictor," he said, "bind those hands which but a little while since, being armed, established sovereignty for the Roman people.

From Roman Women by Alfred Brittain

Let the chief lictor give them over without delay to the guard.

From King of the Jews A story of Christ's last days on Earth by William T. Stead

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