English Explanatory Dictionary

magistrate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. A magistrate's court may have jurisdiction in civil or criminal cases, or both.
  2. A high official of the state or a municipality in ancient Greece or Rome.
  3. A comparable official in medieval or modern institutions.
  4. A master's degree.

Pronunciation

/ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪˌstɹeɪt/ /ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪ.stɹɪt/ En-us-magistrate.ogg

Word forms

magistrate magistrates

Etymology

From Middle English magistrat, maiestrat (“magistrate; magistracy”), borrowed from Latin magistrātus. See also -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).

Synonyms

justiciary master's degree

Related words

magister master mister

Derived words

chief magistrate committing magistrate examining magistrate Glasgow magistrate magistracy magistrates' court magistrateship magistratic magistratical police magistrate unmagistrate
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