n. [ L. praetor, for praeitor, fr. praeire to go before; prae before + ire to go. See Issue. ]
☞ Originally the pretor was a kind of third consul; but at an early period two pretors were appointed, the first of whom (praetor urbanus) was a kind of mayor or city judge; the other (praetor peregrinus) was a judge of cases in which one or both of the parties were foreigners. Still later, the number of pretors, or judges, was further increased. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pretorian. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A soldier of the pretorian guard. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. praetorians: cf. F. prétorien. ] Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor;
Pretorian bands
Pretorian guards,
Pretorians
Pretorian gate (Rom. Antiq.),
‖n. [ L. praetorium, fr. praetor. ]
n. The office or dignity of a pretor. J. Warton [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To torture beforehand. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]