praetorian

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prae·to·ri·an

also pre·to·ri·an (prē-tôr′ē-ən)

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.).

1. A praetor or ex-praetor.

2. Praetorian A member of the Praetorian Guard.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

praetorian

(priːˈtɔːrɪən) or

pretorian

adj

(Historical Terms) of or relating to a praetor

(Historical Terms) a person holding praetorian rank; a praetor or ex-praetor

Praetorian

(priːˈtɔːrɪən) or

Pretorian

adj

1. (Historical Terms) of or relating to the Praetorian Guard

2. (sometimes not capital) resembling the Praetorian Guard, esp with regard to corruption

(Historical Terms) a member of the Praetorian Guard

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

prae•to•ri•an

(priˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr-)

adj.

1. of or pertaining to a praetor.

2. (often cap.) of or pertaining to the Praetorian Guard.

3. a praetor or ex-praetor.

4. (often cap.) a soldier of the Praetorian Guard.

[1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin praetōriānus. See praetor, -ian]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	Praetorian - 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"

praetorian

adjective

Ruthlessly seeking personal advantage:

corrupt, mercenary, venal.

Informal: crooked.

Translations

prétorien

praetorian

[prɪˈtɔːrɪən]

A. ADJ → pretoriano

B. CPD praetorian guard N → guardia f pretoriana

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

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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.

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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.

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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.

View in context

"It would be very whimsical," thought he, "if, this evening, my praetorians should make me king of France.

View in context

The Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) is highly-regarded by users and has kept Eurofighter Typhoon crews safe throughout peace-keeping operations in Libya and Syria.

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The deal helps Binske reach "from Malibu to Martha's Vineyard," said Jake Pasternack, the founder, chairman and CEO of Praetorian Global LLC, Binske's parent company.

MariMed, Binske Strike Licensing Agreement To Bring Products 'From Malibu To Martha's Vineyard'

He is surrounded by a Praetorian Guard made up of oldstyle, red-toothed Communists who still have difficulty coming to terms with the final collapse of the USSR.

Whatever next for Chairman Corbyn?

The PNP's duty, she said, was to protect citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights, not to serve as the President's 'praetorian guard.'

DOJ chief tells PNP: Filing impeachment case not unlawful

NEW John Unite union praetorian guard Len McCluskey fought valiantly on TV to shield Corbyn and his soft Brexit policy, calling out Whitehall mandarins for cowardly smearing as unfit for No 10 an opposition leader who is physically younger than his 70 years.

EU'RE SO RIGHT, MAC

Now Hutchinson, of Praetorian Drive in Wallsend, has pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of causing death by driving while uninsured.

Driver admits to causing death

This problem is that of the praetorian oligarchy that has a monopoly on resources and is infighting for the throne.