Magistrate

Definition

A civil officer or judge who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmædʒɪˌstreɪt/
• Respelling: MAJ-uh-strayt (with "MAJ" as in "magic," "uh" as in "sofa," and "strayt" as in "straight")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmædʒɪstrət/
• Respelling: MAJ-uh-strut (with "MAJ" as in "magic," "uh" as in "sofa," and "strut" as in "strut")

In both dialects, "magistrate" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "MAJ." The pronunciation differs slightly between American and British English, with "MAJ-uh-strayt" in American English and "MAJ-uh-strut" in British English.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word "magistratus", which means "magistracy, magisterial office, magistrate, public functionary". It is connected with "magister" meaning "chief, director, teacher".

Derivatives

• Magistracy
• Magisterial
• Magistrates' court
• Magistratical
• Magisterially

Synonyms

• Judge
• Justice
• Jurist

Antonyms

• Defendant
• Accused
• Plaintiff

Usage

Magistrates play a crucial role in the judicial system, handling minor cases and conducting preliminary hearings for more significant offenses. They ensure that laws are upheld and provide justice at a local level.

• The magistrate issued a warrant for the suspect's arrest.
• She appeared before the magistrate to pay her fine.

Related Terms

• Court
• Judiciary
• Tribunal
• Bench
• Adjudicator

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Magistrate (Noun): A civil officer or judge who administers the law, particularly in courts that deal with minor offenses and preliminary hearings.
  • Example: "The magistrate sentenced the offender to community service."

• Magistrate (Noun): A lay judge or civil authority who administers the law, often found in local or regional courts.
  • Example: "She was appointed as a magistrate to oversee local disputes."