I.of or belonging to a praeco or public crier: quaestus, the office or business of a public crier, Cic. Quint. 31, 95.—
A. The office of a public crier: “facere,” to be a public crier, Cic. Fam. 6, 18, 1: “praeconium me ut detis,” make me your auctioneer, Plaut. Men. 5, 9, 93; Suet. Gram. 3.—
B. Transf.
1. In gen., a crying out in public; a proclaiming, spreading abroad, publishing (syn. praedicatio): “tibi praeconium deferam,” Cic. Att. 13, 12, 2; App. M. 6, p. 176, 3: “praeconio contendere,” in strength of voice, Suet. Ner. 24: “domesticum,” Cic. de Or. 2, 20, 86.—Plur.: “praeconia famae,” Ov. H. 17, 207: “peragere praeconia casūs,” id. Tr. 5, 1, 9.—
2. In partic., a publishing, celebrating, laudation, commendation (syn.: “laudatio, elogium): praeconium alicui tribuere,” Cic. Fam. 5, 12, 7: “mandare versibus laborum praeconium,” id. Arch. 9, 20: “formae praeconia,” Ov. Am. 3, 12, 9: “praeconium facere de Deo,” Lact. 1, 4, 2; 4, 14, 19.