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Webster 1913 Edition
Ephor
Eph′or
,Noun.
pl.
Ephors
(#)
, L. Ephori
(#)
. [L.
ephorus
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to oversee; [GREEK] + [GREEK] to see: cf. F. éphore
.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A magistrate; one of a body of five magistrates chosen by the people of ancient Sparta. They exercised control even over the king.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ephor
EPH'OR
,Noun.
In ancient Sparta, a magistrate chosen by the people. The ephors were five, and they were intended as a check on the regal power, or according to some writers, on the senate.