Publican (noun)

A person who operates a public house or tavern, especially in ancient Rome.

Origin:

Derived from latin publicanus, meaning 'a public contractor'.

Examples:

1. The publican was known for serving the best ale in the village.
2. The publican was a respected member of the community, providing a place for people to gather and socialize.
3. The publican was also a lender of money and sometimes acted as an unofficial banker.
4. The publican had to pay taxes and rent to the Roman government for the right to operate a tavern.
5. Many famous figures in history were known to frequent the local publican, including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.