n. An annually elected magistrate of the ancient Roman Republic, ranking below but having approximately the same functions as a consul. [Middle English pretor, from Old French, from Latin praetor, perhaps from praeīre, to go before : prae-, pre- + īre, to go; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] prae·tori·al (prē-tôrē-əl) adj. praetor·ship′ n. |
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