MAG'ISTRATE, n. L. magistratus, from magister, master magis, major, and ster, Teutonic steora, a director steoran, to steer the principal director. A public officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like.
The magistrate must have his reverence the laws their authority.