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Webster 1913 Edition
Censor
Cen′sor
,Noun.
[L.
censor
, fr. censere
to value, tax.] 1.
(Antiq.)
One of two magistrates of Rome who took a register of the number and property of citizens, and who also exercised the office of inspector of morals and conduct.
2.
One who is empowered to examine manuscripts before they are committed to the press, and to forbid their publication if they contain anything obnoxious; – an official in some European countries.
3.
One given to fault-finding; a censurer.
Nor can the most circumspect attention, or steady rectitude, escape blame from
censors
who have no inclination to approve. Rambler.
4.
A critic; a reviewer.
Received with caution by the
censors
of the press. W. Irving.
Webster 1828 Edition
Censor
CENSOR
,Noun.
1.
An officer, in ancient Rome, whose business was to register the effects of the citizens, to impose taxes according to the property which each man possessed, and to inspect the manners of the citizens, with power to censure vice and immorality, by inflicting a public mark of ignominy on the offender.2.
One who is empowered to examine all manuscripts and books, before they are committed to the press, and to see that they contain nothing heretical or immoral.3.
One who is given to censure.