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• praetorian
  praetorian

  adjective

  of or relating to a praetor.
• Praetorian
  Praetorian

  adjective

  of or relating to the Praetorian Guard

praetorian

American  

[pree-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / priˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a praetor.

2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to the Praetorian Guard.

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noun

1. a person having the rank of praetor or ex-praetor.

2. (often initial capital letter) a soldier of the Praetorian Guard.

Praetorian ¹ British  

/ priːˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Praetorian Guard

2. (sometimes not capital) resembling the Praetorian Guard, esp with regard to corruption

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noun

1. a member of the Praetorian Guard

praetorian ² British  

/ priːˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to a praetor

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noun

1. a person holding praetorian rank; a praetor or ex-praetor

Etymology

Origin of praetorian

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word praetōriānus. See praetor, -ian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

praetorian Praetorian

Dictators obviously maintain unilateral control of their militaries, employed as they invariably are as praetorian protectors and coercive extensions of their autocratic overlords.

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2023

“It’s an army within an army, the regime’s praetorian guard,” he said.

From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2023

Key aspects of the effort to achieve legitimacy were thus more praetorian or Bonapartist than fascist.

From Slate ● Feb. 9, 2017

Here is a look at five other incidents that have marred the record of the White House's praetorian guard.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2014

In the time of Severus, these equites were divided into two corps, each of which had its separate quarters, and was commanded by a tribune under the orders of the prefect of the praetorian guard.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various

Wagner's greatest military success is probably acting as a Praetorian guard for the presidency and foiling a military coup in CAR's capital, Bangui.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2023

She was the sister of the emperor Caligula and the niece of his successor Claudius, who became emperor after Caligula was murdered by his own Praetorian Guard in C.E.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 9, 2023

He is seen with the Oath Keepers and the 1st Amendment Praetorian, his personal protective security detail.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2022

Burk said she recorded the call, much like she recorded other activities by the 1st Amendment Praetorian, because she felt threatened and unsafe by the group’s presence in her home.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 12, 2022

It was as if she despised the noisy crowds of common folk craning past the Praetorian Guards’ leather-clad shoulders for a glimpse of her.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks