n. At common law . One who has exempt and immediate jurisdiction in causes ecclesiastical . Also a bishop; and an archbishop is the ordinary of the whole province, to visit and receive appeals from inferior jurisdictions. Also a commissary or official of a bishop or other ecclesi- astical judge having judicial power ; an archdeacon; officer of the royal household. Wharton. In American law . A judicial officer , in several of the states, clothed by statute with powers in regard to wills, probate, administration , guardianship , etc. In Scotch law. A single judge of the court of session , who decides with or without a jury, as the case may be. Brande. In the civil law . A judge who has authority to take cognizance of causes in his own right, and not by deputation. Murden v. Beath, 1 Mill, Const. (S. C.) 269.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
