prelate

[ prel-it ]

/ ˈprɛl ɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prelate ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an ecclesiastic of a high order, as an archbishop, bishop, etc.; a church dignitary.

Nearby words

prejudice, prejudiced, prejudicial, prelacy, prelapsarian, prelate, prelate nullius, prelatic, prelatism, prelature, prelaunch

Origin of prelate

1175–1225; Middle English prelat < Medieval Latin praelātus a civil or ecclesiastical dignitary, noun use of Latin praelātus (past participle of praeferre to prefer), equivalent to prae- pre- + lātus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear¹

Related forms

prel·ate·ship, nounpre·lat·ic

[pri-lat-ik] /prɪˈlæt ɪk/, adjectivenon·pre·lat·ic, adjectiveun·pre·lat·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prelate

It is the first time a prelate has ever been known to be arrested inside Vatican City.
Did the Vatican Arrest an Abuser to Protect Him?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This prelate died in 1581, after having composed several works, which are mentioned by Nicholas Antonio.
The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII.|Juan Antonio Llorente
There was hardly a prelate or royal chaplain in England who was not under ecclesiastical censure.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
Laud accordingly appeared at the window, and Strafford, as he passed, asked for the prelate's prayers and for his blessing.
Charles I|Jacob Abbott

"Bethink you also that this world is but the antechamber of the next," said the prelate.
Sir Nigel|Arthur Conan Doyle
The death of this prelate was the signal for further dispute in another direction.
Cathedral Cities of England|George Gilbert

British Dictionary definitions for prelate

prelate

/ (ˈprɛlɪt) /

noun

a Church dignitary of high rank, such as a cardinal, bishop, or abbot

Derived Forms

prelatic (prɪˈlætɪk) or prelatical, adjective

Word Origin for prelate

C13: from Old French prélat, from Church Latin praelātus, from Latin praeferre to hold in special esteem, prefer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012