The French likewise say, figuratively,
Preter le flanc. To put one’s self in the power of another.
PRETOR, (Préteur, Fr.) Among the Romans, the governor of a province, who had served the office of pretor, or chief minister of justice in ancient Rome. The provinces so governed were called pretorian.
PRETORIAN, (Pretorien, ne, Fr.) appertaining to pretor; as Pretorian Band, the general’s guard among the ancient Romans.
PRETORIUM, (Prétoire, Fr.) The hall or court wherein the pretor lived and administered justice. It also denoted the tent of the Roman general, in which councils of war were held. The place where the pretorian guards were quartered or lodged, was likewise called pretorium.
PREVARICATION. According to the laws of England is, where a lawyer pleads booty, or acts by collusion, &c. It also denotes a secret abuse committed in the exercise of a public office, or of a commission given by a private person. The word is unknown in military phraseology, and is only explained in this place to stand as a land mark to the open ingenuous character of a soldier.
PREVOST, Fr. Provost.
Prevost d’une armée, Fr. Provost-marshal belonging to an army.
PRICES of commissions. See [Regulations].
PRICKER. A light horseman was formerly so called.