praetorian

The definition of a praetorian is someone with the authority of an ancient Roman bodyguard.

(noun)

A member of the ancient Roman Praetorian Guard is an example of a praetorian.

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See praetorian in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. of a praetor
  2. designating, of, or like the bodyguard () of a Roman commander or emperor

noun

  1. a man with the rank of a praetor, or an ex-praetor
  2. a member of the Praetorian Guard

See praetorian in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also pre·to·ri·an

adjective
  1. Of or relating to a praetor or the praetorship.
  2. Praetorian Of or belonging to the Praetorian Guard.
  3. Venal; corruptible: “A large praetorian bureaucracy, filled with ambitious, possessive . . . and often sycophantic people, makes work and makes trouble” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)
noun
  1. A praetor or ex-praetor.
  2. Praetorian A member of the Praetorian Guard.

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