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A chief magistrate in some of the Swiss cantons.

A chief magistrate in rural districts. He was replaced in 1827 by "resident magistrates."

ore an ax and fasces or rods, as ensigns of his office. His duty was to attend the chief magistrates when they appeared in public, to clear the way, and cause due respect to be paid to them, also to apprehend and punish criminals. Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power. Milton.

representative of, or substitute for, another in the performance of any duty. The lawful magistrate, who is the vicegerent or lieutenant of God. Abp. Bramhall.

Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate as an ensign of his authority. "Swayed the royal mace." Wordsworth.

The chief magistrate of a city or borough; the chief officer of a municipal corporation. In some American cities there is a city court of which the major is chief judge.

The chief magistrate of a nome or nomarchy.

To attach, as by a bond. [Obs.] He had obliged all the senators and magistrates firmly to himself. Bacon.

h drugs and medicines as may be obtained without special preparation or compounding; not magistral.

bjugate or restrain by awe or great fear. The king was present in person to overlook the magistrates, and overawe these subjects with the terror of his sword. Spenser.

as when we beg pardon for interrupting a man, or for jostling him in a crowd. The civil magistrate also grants a pardon, and not forgiveness. The two words are, therefore, very clearly distinguished from each other in most cases which relate to the common concerns of life.

as, parol evidence. Parol arrest (Law), an arrest in pursuance of a verbal order from a magistrate. -- Parol contract (Law), any contract not of record or under seal, whether oral or written; a simple contract. Chitty. Story.

One who pastures; one who takes cattle to graze. See Agister.

One of the chief magistrates of towns in Holland. Grand pensionary, the title of the prime minister, or or president of the Council, of Holland when a republic.

ight. Milton. How different is the same man from himself, as he sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a friend! South.

y the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate.

One of the chief magistrates of the Italian republics in the Middle Ages. Brande & C.

In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but, afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high military and civil officer.

s levying taxes, etc.; -- so called in Louisiana. Bouvier. -- Police justice, or Police magistrate, a judge of a police court. -- Police offenses (Law), minor offenses against the order of the community, of which a police court may have final jurisdiction. -- Police station, the headquarters of the police, or of a s…

In old English law, the chief magistrate of a port or maritime town.; a portreeve. [Obs.] Fabyan.