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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pretor, n.¹ Also: prae- and -ore, -oir, -our. [Med. L. (Latham) pretor reeve, provost, archbishop, mayor, L. prætor, e.m.E. pretour (1494), prætor (1591), pretor (1623), F. préteur.] Rendering L. prætor, the title of a chief magistrate of ancient Rome.The Prætors had a variety of judicial, governmental and ceremonial duties subordinate to the Consuls.Also appar. plur. without inflection. c1420 Wynt. iv 2115.
Pompeyus alsua, that pretore [W. the pretor], Discumfyte in tyll fecht before, Wan [etc.] 1535 Stewart 17196.
Carentius … for his nobilitie, Wes pretor maid with haill auctoritie Ib. 6257. 1549 Compl. 17/3.
Mony vordis of antiquite … the quhilkis culd nocht be translatit in oure Scottis langage, as auguris … censours, pretours, tribuns Ib. 147/21.
He desirit the office of pretoir at the senat c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4193.
Thretty wyse senatouris And xx lordis, the quhilkis had bene pretourisuninfl. pl. c1420 Wynt. iv 1525.
And off the pretore [v.rr. pretor] twenty men, And gretest off the cownsale then, … Slayne in that fecht or takyn ware 1681 Stair Inst. i xii § 19 (1681) 120.
Praetor [1693 pretor] 1693 Fountainhall Decis. I 571.
And that the pretor may sometimes over rule the scriptura testamenti

b. Appar. transf. to: A high ecclesiastical officer, a ruler of the Church. 1567 Act. General Assembly 25 Dec.
[Alexander called Bishop of Galloway] hath now procured to be one of the Session and Privy Councell, which cannot agrie with the office of a pretor [Bk. Univ. Kirk I 112: pastor] or bishop