ephor

noun

eph·​or ˈe-fər How to pronounce ephor (audio)
-ˌfȯr
1
: one of five ancient Spartan magistrates having power over the king
2
: a government official in modern Greece
especially : one who oversees public works
ephorate noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin ephorus, from Greek ephoros, from ephoran to oversee, from epi- + horan to see — more at wary

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ephor was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near ephor

Cite this Entry

“Ephor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephor. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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