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.

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praetor British  

/ ˈpriːtə, -tɔː /

noun

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

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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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

“The legion normally has two elected praetors. Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, was our other praetor until he disappeared last October.”

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Yet he joined to his wickedness such strength of mind and body, that when he entered upon a military career, he rose through the ranks to become praetor of Syracuse.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli