magistrate
pronunciation
How to pronounce magistrate in British English: UK [ˈmædʒɪstreɪt]
How to pronounce magistrate in American English: US [ˈmædʒɪstreɪt]
-
- Noun:
- a public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice
Word Origin
- magistrate
- magistrate: [14] By far the most widely used contributions of Latin magister ‘master’ to English are the heavily disguised master and mister, but more obvious derivatives have made the trip too. The late Latin adjective magisterius ‘of a master’, modified through medieval Latin magisteriālis, has given us magisterial [17]; and magistrātus, source of English magistrate, denoted a ‘state official’ in ancient Rome.=> master, mister
- magistrate (n.)
- late 14c., "civil officer in charge of administering laws," from Old French magistrat, from Latin magistratus "a magistrate, public functionary," originally "magisterial rank or office," from magistrare "serve as a magistrate," from magister "chief, director" (see master). Related: Magistracy.
Synonym
Example
- 1. The magistrate acknowledged that earthquakes cannot be predicted .
- 2. In july , a magistrate ordered the seizure of sarkozy 's diaries , including his calendars .
- 3. Cindy barnett , a london magistrate , reckons the defendants she sees are more violent and have graver drug problems these days .