praetorian

noun

1. (Ancient-Rome, historical)A member of a special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors, their symbol being the scorpion.
2. (Ancient-Rome)A praetor; a person of praetorian rank.

   “I am so rich, I could have given bid for bid with the wealthiest Prætorians at the auction of the Roman empire (which was the world’s); and yet I owe for the flesh in the tongue I brag with.”

3. (Ancient-Rome, alt-of)Alternative letter-case form of Praetorian (“member of a special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors”).

   “Durry's work is still cited as the definitive study of the praetorians, and in fact most modern scholarship on the praetorians is based on material from his work.”

4. (broadly)A venal mercenary.

   “The Trump praetorians who initially denied there was any effort to pressure the Ukrainians into action on a Biden probe, possibly including the withholding of congressionally approved military aid, suddenly surfaced a new talking point: “They’re trying to turn what was a Biden scandal into a Trump scandal.””

adj

1. (Ancient-Rome, not-comparable)Of or pertaining to a praetor.
2. (Ancient-Rome, not-comparable)Of or pertaining to the pretorium in an ancient Roman camp.

   “The praetorian gate was directly in front of the general's tent, and nearest to the enemy.”

3. (Ancient-Rome, not-comparable)Of or pertaining to the special bodyguard force used by Roman emperors.

   “praetorian guard”

   “Hey, sir? Sir, excuse me?” The blonde was calling out to him, in imperious tones that insisted on a reply. Her satraps became watchful, like a Praetorian guard.”

4. (broadly, not-comparable)Corruptly mercenary and venal.