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praetorian

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
prae·to·ri·an also pre·to·ri·an  (pr-tôr-n, -tr-)
adj.
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.
n.
1. A praetor or ex-praetor.
2. Praetorian A member of the Praetorian Guard.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.praetorianPraetorian - a member of the Praetorian Guard
Praetorian Guard
Praetorian Guard - the elite bodyguard of a Roman Emperor in ancient Rome
bodyguard, escort - someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
Adj.1.praetorian - of or relating to a Roman praetor; "praetorial powers"
praetorial, pretorial, pretorian
2.Praetorian - 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"- Arthur M.Schlesinger Jr.
Pretorian
corrupt - lacking in integrity; "humanity they knew to be corrupt...from the day of Adam's creation"; "a corrupt and incompetent city government"


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Knowing the sloth of the Emperor Julian, he persuaded the army in Sclavonia, of which he was captain, that it would be right to go to Rome and avenge the death of Pertinax, who had been killed by the praetorian soldiers; and under this pretext, without appearing to aspire to the throne, he moved the army on Rome, and reached Italy before it was known that he had started.
The Prince by Machiavelli, Nicolo View in context
To the second floor on which the window was situated, he ascended, much pre-occupied in mind by the uncertainties besetting the Roman Empire, and much regretting the death of the amiable Pertinax: who only last night had left the Imperial affairs in a state of great confusion, by falling a victim to the fury of the praetorian guards.
Our Mutual Friend by Dickens, Charles View in context
I am so rich, I could have given bid for bid with the wealthiest Praetorians at the auction of the Roman empire (which was the world's); and yet I owe for the flesh in the tongue I brag with.
Moby Dick LXVIII-CXXXIV by Melville, Herman View in context
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