apparitor

American  

[uh-par-i-ter] / əˈpær ɪ tər /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a subordinate official of a magistrate or of the court.

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apparitor British  

/ əˈpærɪtə /

noun

1. an officer who summons witnesses and executes the orders of an ecclesiastical and (formerly) a civil court

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Etymology

Origin of apparitor

1250–1300; Middle English apparitour < Latin appāritor, equivalent to appāri- (variant stem of appārēre to serve, attend, literally, to be seen; see appear) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

In later times he became known as the apparitor.

From The Canterbury Puzzles And Other Curious Problems by Dudeney, Henry Ernest

The apparitor who had gone off before the trial began produced a barber.

From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas

Of a surety, this stiff old Roman took chances," Marsyas averred after thought, "with but one apparitor to aid him against Agrippa, palestr�-trained and this young charioteer!

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

In the meanwhile an apparitor came to Appius from the Consul and said that the augurs were summoned.

From Roman Farm Management The Treatises of Cato and Varro by Harrison, Fairfax

“There,” said Juba, “is what will tell more against you than imperial edict, informer, or proconsular apparitor; and no work of mine.”

From Callista : a Tale of the Third Century by Newman, John Henry