1. A judge or official who pronounces sentence in a court of law; a judicial officer.
Usage: archaic; chiefly Scottish and historical
2. An officer responsible for executing court sentences or maintaining order in a court.
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The dempster delivered the verdict with solemn authority.
• In medieval Scotland, the dempster held considerable power in the courtroom.
• The dempster pronounced the sentence on the accused.
• As dempster, he was responsible for enforcing the court's decisions.