Mag"is*trate (?), n. [L. magistratus, fr. magister master: cf. F. magistrat. See Master.]
A person clothed with power as a public civil officer; a public civil officer invested with the executive government, or some branch of it.
"All Christian rulers and
magistrates."
Book of Com. Prayer.
Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom the sovereign power of the state resides; others are subordinate.
Blackstone.
© Webster 1913.