What is "pedarian"

Pedarian \Pe*da"ri*an\, n. [L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.] (Rom. Antiq.) One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote; -- so called because he might indicate his opinion by walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote was taken.

n. (context historical Roman antiquity English) One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not vote.