Middle English Dictionary Entry
prē̆tō̆r n.
Entry Info
| Forms | prē̆tō̆r n. Also pretour. |
| Etymology | L praetor, -ōris, & OF pretor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A Roman praetor; (b) a city official who administers the law, a magistrate; (c) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.537 : I made hym fortunat, Lefte neuere, til I hadde hym brouht Bi a prerogatiff chose of the senat To been a pretour, an offise of estat.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.1963 : Adrian..chose a pretour, sent bi þe senat To gouerne of Affrik the contre.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.195 : The wowarde..hade..vc horse men..with the senatours, pretors [Trev.: pretories; L prætorum], and consulles.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.2796-7 : And vnto hym thei gaf..Of a pretor newli an offis; For pretores of custom callid be Officers that duelle in the cite And han ful charge, bi doom & iugementis, To putte al gilti to peyne & to tormentis.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.71/8 : And þese ben þey þe which þis grauntyng and confermyng haue i-made: Nigell, that tyme Deene of Oxonforde..laurence Kepeherme and thomas of tadmarton, þen pretores or pletoures.
c
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)372/18 : An acre lieth..beside the lond of Axcilde, Pretor or mayere of the north side.