Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAGIS-TRATE, n. [L. magistratus, from magister, master; majis, major, and ster, Teutonic steora, a director; steoran, to steer; the principal director.]

A public civil officer, invested with the executive government or some branch of it. In this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like. The magistrate must have his reverence; the laws their authority. Burke.