publican

[ puhb-li-kuhn ]

/ ˈpʌb lɪ kən /

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noun

Chiefly British. a person who owns or manages a tavern; the keeper of a pub.

Roman History. a person who collected public taxes.

any collector of taxes, tolls, tribute, or the like.

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Origin of publican

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English word from Latin word pūblicānus.See public, -an

Words nearby publican

public accountant, public-address system, public administration, public administrator, public affairs, publican, public assistance, publication, publication date, public bar, public bill

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use publican in a sentence

The profits were beyond all reason, and the word publican became a synonym for sinner.
The Private Life of the Romans|Harold Whetstone Johnston
You have taxed and controlled the brewer and the publican until the outraged Liquor Interest has become a national danger.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
If he decline, there is nothing left but excommunication: "Let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew|John Monro Gibson
It was a severer trial for the publican, “To-day I must abide with thee,” than the mere summons to “Make haste, and come down.”
The Hearth-Stone|Samuel Osgood

The poor publican made use of both in his prayer: "God be merciful to me a sinner."
Memorials of the Independent Churches in Northamptonshire|Thomas Coleman

British Dictionary definitions for publican

publican

/ (ˈpʌblɪkən) /

noun

(in Britain) a person who keeps a public house

(in ancient Rome) a public contractor, esp one who farmed the taxes of a province

Word Origin for publican

C12: from Old French publicain, from Latin pūblicānus tax gatherer, from pūblicum state revenues

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012