dicast

noun

di·cast ˈdī-ˌkast

ˈdi-

: an ancient Athenian performing the functions of both judge and juror at a trial

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek dikastḗs, from dikad-, stem of dikázein "to judge, pass judgment" (verbal derivative of díkē "custom, usage, order, justice, judgment, lawsuit, penalty," probably derivative from the Indo-European verbal base *dei̯ḱ- "show, point out") + -tēs, agent suffix — more at diction

Note: Compare, parallel to Greek, if not of Indo-European date, Sanskrit diś- "cardinal point," Latin dicis causā, dicis grātiā "for the sake of appearance/form."

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dicast was in 1820

See more words from the same year