or PROPRETOR, a Roman magistrate, who, having discharged the office of prætor at home, was sent into a province to command there with his former praetorial authority. It was also an appellation given to those who, without having been praetors at Rome, were sent extraordinarily into the provinces to administer justice with the authority of praetors.

PRO RATA, in commerce, a term sometimes used by merchants for in proportion; as, each person must reap the profit or sustain the loss pro rata to his interest, that is, in proportion to his stock.