You searched for: “magistrate
magistrate (s) (noun), magistrates (pl)
1. A public official authorized to decide on questions bought before a court of justice: Tom's father was a magistrate who held his office with pride.
2. A judge in a lower court whose jurisdiction is limited to the trial of misdemeanors and the conduct of preliminary hearings on more serious charges: A magistrate has the job of carrying out the laws, but a magistrate normally does not make the final rulings on murder cases.
3. A minor law officer or member of a local judiciary with extremely limited powers: A magistrate can be a justice of the peace having administrative and limited judicial authority or who deals with traffic violations.
This entry is located in the following units: -ate (to do) (page 4) magist-, master- + (page 1)
(Latin: to deliberate together, to consider; a magistrate in ancient Rome who sought information or advice from the Roman Senate)