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publican

Pronunciation: /ˈpʌblɪk(ə)n/

Translate publican | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of publican

noun

1British a person who owns or manages a pub.
Australian a person who owns or manages a hotel.

2(in ancient Roman and biblical times) a collector or farmer of taxes:publicans and sinners

Origin:

Middle English (in publican (sense 2)): from Old French publicain, from Latin publicanus, from publicum 'public revenue', neuter (used as a noun) of publicus 'of the people'. publican (sense 1) dates from the early 18th century