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prefect
or prae·fect
[ pree-fekt ]
/ ˈpri fɛkt /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
Definition of prefect
noun
a person appointed to any of various positions of command, authority, or superintendence, as a chief magistrate in ancient Rome or the chief administrative official of a department of France or Italy.
Roman Catholic Church.
- the dean of a Jesuit school or college.
- a cardinal in charge of a congregation in the Curia Romana.
Chiefly British. a praepostor.
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Origin of prefect
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin praefectus “overseer, director” (noun use of past participle of praeficere “to make prior,” i.e., “put in charge”), equivalent to prae- “before, prior to” (see pre-) + -fectus (combining form of factus, past participle of facere “to make, do” (see do1); see fact
OTHER WORDS FROM prefect
sub·pre·fect, nounun·der·pre·fect, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH prefect
perfect, prefectWords nearby prefect
pref., prefab, prefabricate, preface, prefatory, prefect, prefect apostolic, prefectorial, prefecture, prefecture apostolic, prefer
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prefect in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prefect
prefect
/ (ˈpriːfɛkt) /
noun
Also (for senses 4–7): praefect
Derived forms of prefect
prefectorial (ˌpriːfɛkˈtɔːrɪəl), adjectiveWord Origin for prefect
C14: from Latin praefectus one put in charge, from praeficere to place in authority over, from prae before + facere to do, make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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