Also 7 sin-, syndique, (sin-, syndict), sindicke, syndike, 7–8 sin-, syndick, 7–9 sindic, (8 syndac); also in L. form, 7 sin-, syndicus. [ad. F. syndic, † -ique (14th c.), delegated representative, chief magistrate of Geneva, † critic, censor, = Pr. sendegue, It. sindaco controller, syndic, Sp. sindico syndic, recorder, assignee, Pg. syndico deputy, delegate, ad. late L. syndicus advocate or delegate representing a town, a. Gr. σύνδικος defendant’s advocate, f. σύν SYN- + δίκη judgment.]
1. An officer of government having different powers in different countries; a civil magistrate, or one of several such, entrusted with the affairs of a city or community; spec. each of four chief magistrates of Geneva.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 88. The towne [sc. Geneva] is gouerned by a counsell of two hundred,… out of which is chosen an other counsel, composed of fiue and twentie, and out of these fower especiall men, called Sindiques, who haue the managing of the whole commonwealth.
1654. Whitelocke, Jrnl. Swed. Emb. (1772), I. 142. The three presidents, who are the principal magistrates of the town, with the syndick, who is in nature of recorder.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 16 Oct. 1644. We got to anker under the Pharos … at the mouth of the Mole of Genoa…. Towards evening we … came on shore … where after strict examination by the Syndics, we [etc.].
1747. Berkeley, Tour Italy, Wks. 1871, IV. 577. In Furia they have a syndic for supreme magistrate.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), II. I. iii. 15. There are also four sindics, or lawyers, who act as secretaries of the state [at Hamburg].
1792. A. Young, Trav. France, I. 88. Turned aside to Auvergnac, the seat of the count de la Bourdonaye, to whom I had a letter … as a person able to give me every species of intelligence relative to Bretagne, having for five-and-twenty years been first syndac of the noblesse.
1812. Brackenridge, Views Louisiana (1814), 138. Each district had its commandant, or syndic. These were the judges in civil matters … and had also command of the militia.
1882. ‘Ouida,’ Maremma, I. 18. The little band halted … in the midst of the cathedral square while the captain bade farewell to the syndic of the town.
2. One deputed to represent, and transact the affairs of, a corporation, e.g., a university; spec. in the University of Cambridge, applied to members of special committees of the senate, appointed by grace for specific duties.
1607. T. Ridley, View Civ. & Eccles. Law, 4. What is the office of a Procurator, Solicitor, or Sindict, or Factor?
1612. Donne, Lett. to Sir H. Goodere, 9 April. A Book written against the Popes jurisdiction … by one Richer, a Dr. and Syndique of the Sorbonists.
1662. Grace Senate Univ. Camb., 22 July, in Kennett, Register (1728), I. 733. May it please you, that Dr. Gunning and Dr. Pearson may be your legal Syndicks … to treat and conclude with the said Archbishop.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 427. As a Proctor has the Management of the Business of particular Individuals; so a Syndick manages the Affairs of aggregate Corporations.
1777. Phil. Trans., LXVII. 408. Mr. Leyser, syndic of the mines was … at the top of the pit.
1814. Monthly Mag., April, 293/1. The [printing] machine has been exhibited to the Syndics of the press at Cambridge.
1818. Ranken, Hist. France, IV. iv. IV. 324. The syndic was the general procurator or agent of the university.
1821. C. Butler, Hist. Mem. Engl. Catholics, lv. § 2. IV. 13. The greater canons constituted the chapter … with … an officer called a sindic to transact their temporal concerns.
1867. Chambers’ Encycl., IX. 255/2. The various trading companies in Paris and the university had also their syndics.
1906. W. Walker, John Calvin, i. 11. The Sorbonne, under the lead of its syndic, Noël Béda, condemned his views in April, 1521.
† 3. A censor of the actions of another. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Syndic, a Sindicke, Censor, Controller of manners.
1617. Sir D. Carleton, Lett. (1775), 208. To make them sensible … of the wrong … in playing the syndic of the actions of so great a prince.
1638. Drumm. of Hawth., Irene, Wks. (1711), 165. It is not lawful for a subject to be a syndick of the actions of his prince.
1658. Phillips.
4. Greek Hist. The title of various officials at Athens and elsewhere (see quots. and Smith’s Dict. Gr. and Rom. Antiq.).
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, V. 391. Let the Commons chuse Syndicts, that all things which are done against evil doers, may be executed without Reproof.
1745. Pococke, Descr. East, II. II. III. xiv. 179. They have two or three Greek syndics on the part of the people, to take care that the antient laws of the island [sc. Cephalonia] are observed.
1808. Mitford, Hist. Greece, v. § 4. I. 28. The new law being prepared by this numerous committee, five officers, called Syndics, were appointed to defend the old before the assembly; which then decided between the two.
5. (See quots.) rare–0.
1728. Chambers, Cycl. [from Dict. de Trévoux], Syndic … a Person appointed to solicit some common Affair, wherein he himself has a Share; as happens particularly among several Creditors of the same Debtor, who fails.
1846. Worcester, Syndic … (French law) on assignee.
1847–54. Webster, s.v., As in France, syndics are appointed by the creditors of a bankrupt to manage the property.
Hence Syndicship = SYNDICATE sb. 1.
1706. Phillips, Syndicate or Syndickship.
