Definition of Pretorian

1. Adjective. Of or relating to a Roman praetor. "Praetorial powers"

Exact synonyms: Praetorial, Praetorian, Pretorial
Partainyms: Praetor, Praetor, Praetor, Praetor
Derivative terms: Praetor, Praetor, Praetor, Praetor, Pretor

2. Adjective. Characteristic of or similar to the corruptible soldiers in the Praetorian Guard with respect to corruption or political venality. "A large Praetorian bureaucracy filled with ambitious...and often sycophantic people makes work and makes trouble"
Exact synonyms: Praetorian
Similar to: Corrupt

Definition of Pretorian

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

2. n. A soldier of the pretorian guard.

Definition of Pretorian

1. Adjective. (alternative spelling of praetorian) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pretorian

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pretorian

pretheoretical
pretheoretically
prethermalized
prethrombotic
pretibial
pretilt
pretilts
pretoddler
pretoddlers
pretoir
pretold
pretonic
pretor
pretores
pretorial
pretorian (current term)
pretorians
pretorium
pretoriums
pretors
pretorship
pretorships
pretour
pretournament
pretours
pretrain
pretrained
pretraining
pretrains
pretransaction

Literary usage of Pretorian

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1827)
"The fortunes of the pretorian prefects were es- The preto- sentially different from those of the consuls and patri- fec"spre" cians. ..."

2. Medieval and Modern History: An Outline of Its Development by George Burton Adams (1902)
"pretorian GUARDS 2. Constitutional Forms.—The constitutional forms of the early Empire were but little modified. Without holding formally any of the offices ..."

3. A Military Dictionary: Or, Explaination of the Several Systems of Discipline by William Duane (1810)
"The place where the pretorian guards were quartered or lodged, was likewise called preto. rium. PREVARICATION. According to the laws ot England is, ..."

4. The History of the Roman Emperors: From Augustus to Constantine by Jean Baptiste Louis Crévier, John Mills (1814)
"The conspiracy fails. The punishment of Lucilla and the other conspirators. Commodity's hatred of the senate. Pat emus, pretorian ..."

5. Italy by John Stevens Cabot Abbott, Wilfred C. Lay (1882)
"... Marcus Aurelius—Practical Philosophy—Commodus—His Death—Commencement of the Decline and Fall—The pretorian Guard—Its Character and Influence—The Throne ..."

6. Letters from the Bye-ways of Italy by Clotilda Elizabeth Stisted (1845)
"We next explored the pretorian Palace, remarkable for its curious architecture, and covered over with armorial bearings of the ancient vicars, ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Pretorian on Dictionary.com!Search for Pretorian on Thesaurus.com!Search for Pretorian on Google!Search for Pretorian on Wikipedia!

Search