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 • Oct. 1, 2022

She was made priestess of the deified Augustus; but Tiberius declared that public honors should be adjudged to women with extreme moderation, and he refused to allow a lictor to be appointed for her service.

From Roman Women by Brittain, Alfred

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

From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume II (of 2) by Crashaw, Richard

The chairen is the policeman of China, the lictor of the magistrate, the satellite of the official; the soldier is the representative of military authority.

From An Australian in China Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey Across China to Burma by Morrison, George Ernest

Whenever a Vestal appeared in public, she was preceded by a lictor, before whom everyone made way, even the highest officer of the State.

From Roman Women by Brittain, Alfred