User Contributed Dictionary
Extensive Definition
Custos is the Latin word for guard. It occurs in titles such
as
- Custos rotulorum, keeper of the rolls
- Custos (Franciscans).
The nominative and accusative plural form
custodes is well known from the proverbial phrase
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?, "who has custody of the custodians?", so "who guards
the guards?" or "who watches the watchmen?".