noun

1. one of two magistrates in ancient Rome appointed to take the census and, later, to supervise public morals
2. an official with the power to examine publications, movies, television programs, etc. and to remove or prohibit anything considered obscene, libelous, politically objectionable, etc.
3. an official in time of war who reads publications, mail, etc. to remove information that might be useful to the enemy
4. in earlier psychoanalytic theory, and still popularly, a part of the unconscious that serves as the agent of censorship

Etymology: L < censere, to tax, value, judge < IE base *ens, speak solemnly, announce > Sans ṡáṁsa, praise, prayer of praise

transitive verb