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Webster 1913 Edition

Lictor

Lic′tor

(lĭk′tŏr)
,
Noun.
[L.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
An officer who bore 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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Lictor

LIC'TOR

,
Noun.
[L. lick, to strike.] An officer among the Romans, who bore an ax and fasces or rods, as ensigns of his office. The duty of a lictor was to attend the chief magistrates when they appeared in public, to clear the way and cause due respect to be paid to them. A dictator was attended by twenty four lictors, a consul by twelve, and a master of the horse by six. It was also the duty of lictors to apprehend and punish criminals.

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