proconsul

/proʊˈkɑnsəl/

Other forms: proconsuls

In ancient Rome, the governor of a province was called a proconsul. During wartime, proconsuls had their terms extended beyond the usual year.

Each Roman province had its own proconsul, who was appointed by an elected consul. The word comes from the Latin pro, "in place of," and consul, "magistrate." In ancient Rome, most of these positions were filled by experienced officials who had previously served as consuls. In modern times, proconsul is still used for some officials whose authority is delegated to them by another government official; modern proconsuls often serve as diplomats in foreign countries.

Definitions of proconsul

1. noun

   a provincial governor of consular rank in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire
   type of:

   governor

   the head of a state government
2. noun

   an official in a modern colony who has considerable administrative power
   type of:

   functionary, official

   a worker who holds or is invested with an office
3. noun

   an anthropoid ape of the genus Proconsul
   type of:

   hominoid

   a primate of the superfamily Hominoidea