PUBLICAN

publican, tavern keeper

(noun) the keeper of a public house

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

publican (plural publicans)

(British) The landlord of a public house.

(historical) A tax collector in Ancient Rome.

Source: Wiktionary


Pub"li*can, n. Etym: [L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See Public.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.)

Definition: A farmer of the taxes and public revenues; hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior officers of this class were often oppressive in their exactions, and were regarded with great detestation. As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Matt. 1x. 10. How like a fawning publican he looks! Shak.

2. The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to retail beer, spirits, or wine.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

10 January 2025

INTERSPERSION

(noun) the act of combining one thing at intervals among other things; “the interspersion of illustrations in the text”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world, next to crude oil. It’s also one of the oldest commodities, with over 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide daily.

coffee icon