Magistrate Definition
măjĭ-strāt, -strĭt
magistrates
noun
A civil officer empowered to administer the law.
Webster's New World
A minor official with limited judicial powers, as a justice of the peace or judge of a police court.
Webster's New World
A judge in a court having jurisdiction over the trial of misdemeanors and preliminary hearings involving felonies.
American Heritage
A public official with the chief administrative power in a district or region.
American Heritage
A judicial officer of limited jurisdiction or responsibility; colloquially used as a synonym for judge.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Magistrate
Noun
Singular:
magistratePlural:
magistratesOrigin of Magistrate
-
Middle English magistrat from Old French from Latin magistrātus from magister magistr- master meg- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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