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

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

Plutarch says; “Such was the quantity of spices brought in by the women, at Sylla’s funeral, that, exclusive of those carried in two hundred and ten great baskets, a figure of Sylla at full length, and of a lictor besides, was made entirely of cinnamon, and the choicest frankincense.”

From Project Gutenberg

I, lictor, manibusque audacibus injice vinc'la: Injecit lictor vincula, et arma dedit.

From Project Gutenberg

Oleo parat urere lictor: Sed quem uri lictor credidit, unctus erat.

From Project Gutenberg

Lictor, lik′tor, n. an officer who attended the Roman magistrates, bearing an axe and bundle of rods.

From Project Gutenberg