archpriest
Americannoun
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a priest holding first rank, as among the members of a cathedral chapter or among the clergy of a district outside the episcopal city.
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Roman Catholic Church. a priest acting as superior of the Roman Catholic secular clergy in England, first appointed in 1598 and superseded by a vicar apostolic in 1623.
noun
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(formerly) a chief assistant to a bishop, performing many of his sacerdotal functions during his absence
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a senior priest
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of archpriest
1350–1400; Middle English archeprest (modeled on Late Latin archipresbyter < Greek archipresbýteros ). See arch- 1, priest
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The prayer service, known as a penitential rite and required by Canon law, was led by the basilica's archpriest, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.
From Reuters • Jun. 3, 2023
BUCHA, Ukraine — While waiting for the archpriest to bless their baskets of food with his holy water-soaked brush, locals struck up conversations with each other — about matters only they could understand.
From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2022
A series of bishops, including Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, said they investigated the allegations, but no one ever interviewed Jarzembowski’s roommate.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2020
A series of bishops — including Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Francis' vicar for Rome and the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica — said they investigated, but no one ever interviewed the alleged victim.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2019
He had another brother called Damian, who was archpriest of Ravenna, and afterwards a monk; who, taking pity on him, had the charity to give him an education.
From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Butler, Alban
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
