prelacy

[prel-uh-see]

noun

plural

prelacies 

1. the office or dignity of a prelate, or high-ranking member of the Christian clergy.

2. the order of prelates.

3. the body of prelates collectively.

4. Sometimes Disparaging.,  the system of church government by prelates.

prelacy

/ ˈprɛləsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: prelature. 

   1. the office or status of a prelate

   2. prelates collectively

2. Also called: prelatism. derogatory,  government of the Church by prelates

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelacy¹

1275–1325; Middle English prelacie < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin praelātia. See prelate, -y ³

Example Sentences

The commission’s other Democrat, Rebecca Slaughter, was critical of the FTC’s inability to hold Mr. Zuckerberg more personally responsible for the company’s inability to be transparent about personal prelacy.

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Twice did I see old prelacy pulled down, And twice the cloak did sink beneath the gown.

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Something more was required to render that success permanent by arousing anew the trust and confidence of the people, and that something could not be supplied by a worldly and ambitious prelacy.

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The prominent pagan symbols which are now adopted by the Christian prelacy are generally astronomical.

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The element of absolutism and prelacy was controlling.

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Related Words

• priesthood