publican

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: pub=li=can

CIDE DICTIONARY

publican, n. [L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See Public.].

•  A farmer of the taxes and public revenues; hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior officers of this class were often oppressive in their exactions, and were regarded with great detestation.  [1913 Webster]

  "As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."  [1913 Webster]

  "How like a fawning publican he looks!"  [1913 Webster]
•  The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to retail beer, spirits, or wine.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

publican, n.
1 a Brit. the keeper of a public house. b Austral. the keeper of a hotel.
2 Rom.Hist. & Bibl. a tax-collector or tax-farmer.

Etymology

ME f. OF publicain f. L publicanus f. publicum public revenue (as PUBLIC)

THESAURUS

publican

Internal Revenue Service, assessor, barkeep, barkeeper, barmaid, barman, bartender, bootlegger, brewer, brewmaster, customhouse, customs, distiller, exciseman, farmer, liquor dealer, liquor store owner, mixologist, moonshiner, revenuer, tapster, tapstress, tax assessor, tax collector, tax farmer, taxer, taxman, vintner, wine merchant