publican

[ puhb-li-kuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

publican

/ ˈpʌblɪkən /

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

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

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

The profits were beyond all reason, and the word publican became a synonym for sinner.

You have taxed and controlled the brewer and the publican until the outraged Liquor Interest has become a national danger.

If he decline, there is nothing left but excommunication: "Let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

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 poor publican made use of both in his prayer: "God be merciful to me a sinner."

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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