Word Study
pretorian
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective pretorian has 2 senses
- pretorian(a = adj.pert) praetorial, praetorian, pretorial - of or relating to a Roman praetor; "praetorial powers" Derived forms noun praetor1, noun pretor1
- pretorian(s = adj.all) praetorian - characteristic of or similar to the corruptible soldiers in the Praetorian Guard with respect to corruption or political venality; "a large Praetorian bureaucracy filled with ambitious...and often sycophantic people makes work and makes trouble"
CIDE DICTIONARY
pretorian, a. [L. praetorians: cf. F. prétorien.].
Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power or authority. [1913 Webster]
pretorian, n.
A soldier of the pretorian guard. [1913 Webster]
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