Definition of "praetor" [praetor]

• An annually elected magistrate of the ancient Roman Republic, ranking below but having approximately the same functions as a consul. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "[166] The praetor -- The _praetor urbanus_, or city praetor, who decided all causes between citizens, and passed sentence on debtors."
• "This praetor was no doubt propraetor of the province of Africa, sent thither from Rome to undertake the regular administration, but he was at the same time placed at the disposal of the consul Marius; for as a propraetor had the _jus praetorem_ in his province, he was sometimes simply called praetor; thus Verres is often called praetor of Sicily."
• "Quintus was coming to the end of his term as praetor and was heavily in debt and apprehensive about what province he might draw in the forthcoming lottery."