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praetorian

 - 2 dictionary results

prae⋅to⋅ri⋅an

  [pree-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-]
Use praetorian in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to a praetor.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to the Praetorian Guard.
–noun
3. a person having the rank of praetor or ex-praetor.
4. (often initial capital letter) a soldier of the Praetorian Guard.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L praetōriānus. See praetor, -ian
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To praetorian
prae·to·ri·an also pre·to·ri·an   (prē-tôr'ē-ən, -tōr'-)   
adj.  

  1. Of or relating to a praetor or the praetorship.

  2. Praetorian Of or belonging to the Praetorian Guard.

  3. Venal; corruptible: "A large praetorian bureaucracy, filled with ambitious, possessive . . . and often sycophantic people, makes work and makes trouble" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)

n.  

  1. A praetor or ex-praetor.

  2. Praetorian A member of the Praetorian Guard.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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