HOW TO PRONOUNCE
praetorian
/pɹiˈtɔɹiən/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does praetorian mean?
adjective
- Of or pertaining to a praetor.
- Of or pertaining to the pretorium in an ancient Roman camp.
- Of or pertaining to the special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors.
More meanings (5)
adjective
- Corruptly mercenary and venal.
noun
- A praetor; a person of praetorian rank.
- Alternative letter-case form of Praetorian (“member of a special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors”).
- A venal mercenary.
- (historical) A member of a special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors, their symbol being the scorpion.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/pɹiˈtɔɹiən/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Of the men of consular and praetorian dignity that were taken after the fight, several Caesar put to death, others anticipated him by killing themselves.
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.