Pre*to"ri*an (?), a. [L. praetorians: cf. F. pr'etorien.]

Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial; exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power or authority.

Pretorian bandsguards, ∨ Pretorians Rom. Hist., the emperor's bodyguards, instituted by the Emperor Augustus in nine cohorts of 1,000 men each. -- Pretorian gate Rom. Antiq., that one of the four gates in a camp which lay next the enemy.

Brande & C.

 

© Webster 1913.


Pre*to"ri*an, n.

A soldier of the pretorian guard.

 

© Webster 1913.

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