n.
Pronunciation: ' ma-j ə - ˌ str ā t, -str ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English magestrat, from Latin magistratus magistracy, magistrate, from magistr-, magister master, political superior ― more at MASTER
Date: 14th century
: an official entrusted with administration of the laws: as a : a principal official exercising governmental powers over a major political unit (as a nation) b : a local official exercising administrative and often judicial functions c : a local judiciary official having limited original jurisdiction especially in criminal cases
– mag · is · trat · i · cal \ ˌ ma-j ə - ' stra-ti-k ə l \ adjective