Censor

(sen'sőr.) [ L, a reckoner.] (Rom. Hist.) The name of two magistrates of anc. Rome, whose office was held as sacred, and higher than all others except the dictatorship; but they were not allowed lictors, the sign of imperial authority. They had an irresponsible control of a general nature over the conduct and morals of the citizens. It was part of their duty to keep a register of the citizens and their property, and they were concerned in the management of the finances of the state. The censorship existed from B. c. 443 to B. c. 22, a period of421 years. [s. 158]