PRETIBIAL
Pre*tib"i*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated in front of the tibia.
PRETOR Pre"tor, n. Etym: [L. praetor, for praeitor, fr. praeire to go before; prae before + ire to go. See Issue.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A civil officer or magistrate among the ancient Romans.
Note: Originally the pretor was a kind of third consul; but at an early period two pretors were appointed, the first of whom (praetor urbanus) was a kind of mayor or city judge; the other (praetor peregrinus) was a judge of cases in which one or both of the parties were foreigners. Still later, the number of pretors, or judges, was further increased.
2. Hence, a mayor or magistrate. [R.] Dryden.
PRETORIAL
Pre*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Pretorian. Burke.
PRETORIAN
Pre*to"ri*an, a. Etym: [L. praetorians: cf. F. prétorien.]