Antiq. [ad. L. suffes, sūfes, -et-, of Phœnician origin (cf. Heb. shōphēt judge). Cf. F. suffète.] One of the supreme executive magistrates of the ancient republic of Carthage.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXX. vii. 743. All men thought verily that Scipio would … lay siege unto Carthage: whereupon their Suffetes (who are the Consuls as it were, of the citie) called the Senate.
1701. Swift, Contests Nobles & Comm., Wks. 1755, II. I. 25. The suffetes at Carthage.
1839. Penny Cycl., XV. 441/2. The judges [in Israel] seem to have been somewhat analogous to the Carthaginian suffetes.
1884. Sayce, Anc. Emp. East, 210. In time the monarchy disappeared altogether, its place being supplied by suffetes or ‘judges.’
