I.fem. also antistĭta , ae, like hospita from hospes, sospita from sospes, clienta from cliens, Inscr. Orell. 2200; cf. Charis. p. 77 P.; Prisc. p. 650 P.) [antisto = antesto, q. v.; pr. adj., standing before], an overseer, president.
I. Lit.
A. In gen. (rare): “vindemiatorum,” Col. 3, 21, 6: “imperii Romani,” Tert. Apol. 1. —In fem., a female overseer: “latrinarum,” Tert. Pall. 4 fin.—Far more freq.,
B. Esp., an overseer of a temple, a high-priest: “caerimoniarum et sacrorum,” Cic. Dom. 39, 104; id. Div. 2, 54 fin.: “Jovis,” Nep. Lys. 3, 3; Liv. 9, 34; 1, 7: “sacrorum,” Juv. 2, 113.— In the O. T. simply a priest: et sanctificarentur antistites, * Vulg. 2 Par. 29, 34.—In the Christian writers, a bishop, Cod. Just. 1, 3; 1, 18 et saep.—
C. In fem., a female overseer of a temple, a chief priestess.— Form antistĕs : “adsiduae templi antistites,” Liv. 1, 20; so id. 23, 24; 31, 14: “perita antistes,” Val. Max. 1, 1, n. 1: “templi aeditua et antistes pudicitia,” Tert. Cult. Fem. 1.— Form antistĭta , Plaut. Rud. 3, 2, 10: Veneris antistita, Pollio ap. Charis. p. 77 P.; Att. ap. Non. p. 487, 19: “fani antistitae,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 45; cf. Gell. 13, 20, 22: antistita Phoebi, i. e. Cassandra, so called as prophetess, Ov. M. 13, 410: “Cybeles antistita,” Verg. Cir. 166; Corn. Sev. ap. Charis. p. 77 P.—
II. Trop., a master in any science or art, as in Engl. high-priest: “artis dicendi antistes,” Cic. de Or. 2, 46, 202: “cultor et antistes doctorum virorum,” Ov. Tr. 3, 14, 1: “artium,” Col. 11, 1, 10: “sapientiae,” Plin. 7, 30, 31, § 110: “philosophiae,” Lact. 5, 2: “juris,” Quint. 11, 1, 69: “justitiae,” Gell. 14, 4: “studiorum liberalium,” Dig. 10, 46, 1.
