Black's Law Dictionary (2nd edition)dictionaries

Magistratus

Lat in the clvll law. A magistrate. Calvln. A judlclal officer who had the power of hearlng and determin-lng causes, but whose office properly was to lnqulre Into matters of law, as distinguished from fact. Hallifax, Clvll Law, b. 3, c. 8

Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)