Praetor
/ˈpriː.tər/noun
A high-ranking Roman magistrate with judicial and administrative authority.
Did you know?The title came from the same Latin root as *pre-* and *priority*, tying Roman authority to the idea of going first, leading, and acting ahead of others.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to go forward, pass over, or lead”
Latin
Latin
prae-
“before, in front”
Latin
Latin
prae-itor / praetor
“one who goes before; leader”
Ancient Roman Republic
Latin
praetor
“a Roman magistrate who ranked below consuls and had judicial power”
Modern English
English
praetor
“a Roman magistrate or, in historical contexts, a high official”
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