| pretor | 1. A civil officer or magistrate among the ancient Romans. 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. 2. Hence, a mayor or magistrate. Origin: L. Praetor, for praeitor, fr. Praeire to go before; prae = before + ire to go. See Issue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| pretorium | 1. The general's tent in a Roman camp; hence, a council of war, because held in the general's tent. 2. The official residence of a governor of a province; hence, a place; a splendid country seat. Origin: L. Praetorium, fr. Praetor. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |