Magistrate
/ˈmædʒ.ɪ.streɪt/noun
A civil officer with the authority to administer the law.
Did you know?The root of 'magistrate' is linked to the Latin 'magister', meaning 'master', which hints at a historical power over life and death.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*magh-
“to be able, to have power”
Latin
Latin
magister
“master, chief, or teacher”
Old French
Old French
magistrat
“a person of authority or office”
Middle English
Middle English
magistrate
“a person exercising authority”
Modern English
English
magistrate
“a civil officer with judicial authority”