əˈparəd.ə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from apparitus (past participle of apparēre to appear) + -or — more at appear
1. : one that attends or serves an officer or authority:
a. : an officer who executed the orders of a Roman magistrate
b. : an officer who executed the orders and decrees of an ecclesiastical court especially by serving summonses
c. : an officer formerly present to execute the order of the magistrate or judge of a civil court
2. obsolete : one that acts as a forerunner : herald