praetor

American  

[pree-ter] / ˈpri tər /

Or pretor

noun

1. (in the ancient Roman republic) one of a number of elected magistrates charged chiefly with the administration of civil justice and ranking next below a consul.

---

praetor British  

/ ˈpriːtə, -tɔː /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) any of several senior magistrates ranking just below the consuls

---

Other Word Forms

• praetorial adjective
• praetorship noun

Etymology

Origin of praetor

1375–1425; late Middle English pretor < Latin praetor, for *praeitor leader, literally, one going before, equivalent to *praei-, variant stem of praeīre to go before, lead ( prae- prae- + -i-, base of īre to go) + -tor -tor

Explanation

In ancient Rome, a government authority who served under a consul was called a praetor. Among other powers, praetors commanded military forces and acted as judges. A praetor was an elected magistrate who held legal power in ancient Rome, serving under the authority of consuls. The praetor urbanus was a city judge who heard cases between urban citizens, while a praetor peregrinus oversaw trials involving foreigners. Everyone who held this position was also a member of the senate, and some praetors led military troops as well. In Latin, the word praetor means "one who goes before."

Example Sentences

While fans of the show view the ruthless Roman praetor as “the villain they love to hate,” the actor says Quintus sees a different man in the mirror.

From Washington Times • May 24, 2023

During the next 20 years, Caesar climbed nimbly up the Roman ladder of state offices�quaestor, aedile, praetor, consul.

From Time Magazine Archive

The praetor handed the woman his sword and asked her to sheathe it while he moved the scabbard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Percy already felt uneasy taking Jason’s title of praetor.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

It was a photocopy of a handwritten note: IOU one Roman praetor.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan