-ˌstrāt, -_strə̇t, usu -d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English magistrat, from Latin magistratus, from magistr-, magister master + -atus -ate — more at master
: a public official entrusted with administration of the laws: as
a. : a principal official exercising governmental especially executive powers over a major political unit (as a nation)
the president of the federal council … and the vice-president are the first magistrates of the confederation — Statesman's Year Book
b. : a local official exercising administrative and often judicial functions
the magistrate in South Africa is … the senior representative of the government in his district — Leo Marquard
c. : a local judiciary official having limited original jurisdiction especially in criminal cases:
(1) : justice of the peace
(2) : the judge of a police court