publican

views updated May 29 2018

pub·li·can / ˈpəblikən/ • n. 1. Brit. a person who owns or manages a pub.2. (in ancient Roman and biblical times) a collector of taxes.

publican

views updated May 11 2018

publican in ancient Roman and biblical times, a collector or farmer of taxes. The word is used chiefly in biblical translations and allusions, as in reference to Matthew 11:9, ‘Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?’

About this article

publican

All Sources -
Updated Aug 24 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic