Meaning & use
Praetorian
Last updated
Relating to a bodyguard or elite guard protecting a ruler, or, historically, to a Roman praetor or magistrate.
See it in a sentence
The dictator surrounded himself with a praetorian circle of loyal generals.
Historians debate how much power the praetorian guard actually held over Roman emperors.
A note on using this word
The term traces back to the Praetorian Guard, the elite bodyguard of Roman emperors, who became notorious for deposing and installing rulers at will.
Words with a similar meaning
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Another way to use it
2. noun
A member of an elite guard, especially the bodyguard of the Roman emperor.
The praetorians escorted the emperor through the crowded streets.
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