praetorian

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English pretorian, from Latin praetōriānus.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɹɪˈtɔːɹiən/

Adjective

praetorian (not comparable)

  1. (Ancient Rome) Of or pertaining to a praetor.
  2. (Ancient Rome) Of or pertaining to the pretorium in an ancient Roman camp.
    The praetorian gate was directly in front of the general's tent, and nearest to the enemy.
  3. (Ancient Rome) Of or pertaining to the special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors.
    praetorian guard
  4. (by extension) Corruptly mercenary and venal.

Derived terms

Noun

praetorian (plural praetorians)

  1. (Ancient Rome) A praetor; a person of praetorian rank.
  2. (Ancient Rome) Alternative letter-case form of Praetorian (member of a special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors).
    • 2013, Sandra Bingham, The Praetorian Guard, I.B.Tauris, page 6:
      Durry's work is still cited as the definitive study of the praetorians, and in fact most modern scholarship on the praetorians is based on material from his work.
  3. (by extension) A venal mercenary.

Further reading

Anagrams