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delator

 - 2 dictionary results

de⋅late

[di-leyt]
–verb (used with object), -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
1. Chiefly Scot. to inform against; denounce or accuse.
2. Archaic. to relate; report: to delate an offense.

Origin:
1505–15; < L dēlātus (suppletive ptp. of dēferre to bring down, report, accuse), equiv. to dē- de- + lā- carry (ptp. s. of ferre) + -tus ptp. suffix


de⋅la⋅tion, noun
de⋅la⋅tor, de⋅lat⋅er, noun
del⋅a⋅to⋅ri⋅an [del-uh-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Encyclopedia

delator

ancient Roman prosecutor or informer. The role of the informer in matters of criminal law and fiscal claims was of singular importance to the maintenance of order in Roman society, which was without an adequate police force or public prosecutor. Rewards ranged from pecuniary awards and public praise for citizens to freedom for slaves and citizenship for foreigners.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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