ˈlejə̇ˌslād.ə(r), -ātə- sometimes | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|slād.ˌȯ(ə)r or -āˌtȯ- or -ȯ(ə) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin legis lator, literally, proposer of law, from legis (gen. of lex law) + lator proposer, bearer, from latus (suppletive past participle of ferre to carry, propose) + -or — more at legal , tolerate , bear (to carry)
: one that makes laws especially for a political unit (as a nation or state):
a. : an individual or an organized group that enacts a fundamental law (as a constitution)
every form of government … is created by the ordinance of the legislator — C.H.McIlwain
b. : one that makes or helps to make laws and other enactments of policy as distinguished from a fundamental law
the president often is termed our chief legislator — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
c. : a member of a legislative body
while legislators themselves … originate a certain number of bills, even more come from outside — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray