publican

views updated May 29 2018

pub·li·can / ˈpəblikən/ • n. 1. Brit. a person who owns or manages a pub.2. (in ancient Roman and biblical times) a collector of taxes.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

publican

views updated May 11 2018

publican in ancient Roman and biblical times, a collector or farmer of taxes. The word is used chiefly in biblical translations and allusions, as in reference to Matthew 11:9, ‘Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?’

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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