magistracy

[maj-uh-struh-see]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR magistracy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural mag·is·tra·cies.

the office or function of a magistrate.

a body of magistrates.

the district under a magistrate.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Also mag·is·tra·ture

[maj-uh-strey-cher] /ˈmædʒ əˌstreɪ tʃər/.

Origin of magistracy

First recorded in 1570–80; magistr(ate) + -acy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for magistracy

The prizes of the army, of the church, of the magistracy, could only be secured through her good-will.
Fragonard|Haldane Macfall
But on this particular morning peremptory business connected with the magistracy called the rector away.
Felix Holt, The Radical|George Eliot
To the Lieutenants of each county he deputed the right of nominating the magistracy and officers of militia.
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation|Charles Roger
The Magistracy has till now only made a minute of the proceedings and will now hold a session to arrive at a decision.
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III (of 3)|Alexander Wheelock Thayer

Hence three orders of functions: administration, deputation, and the magistracy, with which latter is connected the bar.
Elements of Morals|Paul Janet

British Dictionary definitions for magistracy

magistracy

magistrature (ˈmædʒɪstrəˌtjʊə)

noun plural -cies or -tures

the office or function of a magistrate

magistrates collectively

the district under the jurisdiction of a magistrate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012