magistracy
Americannoun
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magistracies
plural
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the office or function of a magistrate.
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a body of magistrates.
-
the district under a magistrate.
noun
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the office or function of a magistrate
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magistrates collectively
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the district under the jurisdiction of a magistrate
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of magistracy
First recorded in 1570–80; magistr(ate) + -acy
Explanation
If someone is a magistrate — a judge or other civil officer — her position or office is a magistracy. A magistracy in an English town deals with small, local crimes and offenses. The United States doesn't have magistrates or magistracies, but in many countries they are part of the legal systems. In the UK and Australia, for example, a magistracy hears the majority of cases, with more serious criminal cases being heard by judges in larger courts. Both magistrate and magistracy come from a Latin word, magistratus, "public functionary or civil officer," which shares its root with the English word master.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A spokesperson from the department tells BBC Newsbeat that "the government wants to ensure that the magistracy reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, including age, background and experience".
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025
The DNA’s chief prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kovesi, a basketball star in her teens, rose through the magistracy before getting the top job in April 2013.
From Economist ● Feb. 19, 2015
While what Barton, and possibly Rio Ferdinand, tweeted was seriously prejudicial, it fails the substantial risk test because of the expectation of impartiality of the magistracy and judiciary.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 9, 2012
As for the President, Connecticut's Roger Sherman described "the executive magistracy as nothing more than an institution for carrying the will of the legislature into effect."
From Time Magazine Archive
In the early municipal constitution ex-magistrates passed automatically into the senate of their town; but at a later date this order was reversed, and membership of the senate became a qualification for the magistracy.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 10 "David, St" to "Demidov" by Various
The quinquennales, in framing the list, took first the members on the roll of the previous term, and then those who had been elected to magistracies since the last census.
From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill
The old distinction of patricians and plebeians had vanished, and a new nobility had arisen, composed of rich men and of those whose ancestors had enjoyed curule magistracies.
From Ancient States and Empires by John Lord
The higher magistracies were filled by election, and they were held almost exclusively by the members of the great Athenian families.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 4 "Grasshopper" to "Greek Language" by Various
He was granted the right to appoint to both Roman and provincial magistracies, until in 44 B. C. he had the authority to nominate half the officials annually; and in reality appointed all.
From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Arthur Edward Romilly Boak
At the beginning of his principate he transferred from the Assembly to the Senate the right of the election to the magistracies, thus relieving the senators from the expense and annoyance of canvassing the populace.
From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Arthur Edward Romilly Boak
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