Rom. Antiq. Also 4–7 questor. [a. L. quæstor, agent-n. from quærĕre to seek, inquire.] a. One of a number of Roman officials who had charge of the public revenue and expenditure, acting as treasurers of state, paymasters of the troops, etc. b. In early times: A public prosecutor in certain criminal cases.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 49. Caton þe questor brouȝte hym [Ennius] to Rome. Questor is he þat gadreþ tribut to Rome, and þe domesman was somtyme i-cleped questor.
1577. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Chron., 80. Adrian was made Questor, that is to say, he had charge to prouide victuals and furniture for the campe.
1641. ‘Smectymnuus,’ Answ., § 12 (1653), 45. Tiberius granted a Questors dignitie unto a Bishop for his eloquence.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xvii. II. 53. In the course of nine centuries, the office of quæstor had experienced a very singular revolution.
1838. Arnold, Hist. Rome, I. 339. The two quæstors who judged in cases of blood, were also chosen from the patricians.
transf. and fig. 1850. S. Dobell, The Roman, v. Poet. Wks. (1875), I. 63. I, her [Pity’s] quæstor, Claim tribute from you. A few tears will pay it.
1863. Trevelyan, Compet. Wallah (1866), 124. Our modern quæstors are every whit as grasping and venal as the satellites of Verres and Dolabella.
Quæstor, variant of QUESTOR sb.1
