English edit

Etymology edit

From pentecost +‎ -er, from Medieval Latin pentēcostē, from Ancient Greek πεντηκοστή (pentēkostḗ, fiftieth). Cognate with Pentecost.

Noun edit

pentecoster (plural pentecosters)

  1. An officer who commands fifty men, particularly (historical) in the Spartan army.
    • 1784-1810, William Mitford, The History of Greece:
      ...they would have the command of the pentecoster, penteconter, or pentecoptater (for thus variously the title is written)...

Synonyms edit

References edit