early 15c., from Latin praetorianus "belonging to a praetor," from praetor (see praetor). Praetorian Guard is from cohors praetoria, the bodyguard troop of a Roman commander or emperor. Hence modern figurative use for "defenders of an existing order."
双语例句
1. A large praetorian bureaucracy filled with ambitious and often sycophantic people makes work and makes trouble.
