prelacy
Americannoun
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prelacies
plural
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the office or dignity of a prelate, or high-ranking member of the Christian clergy.
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the order of prelates.
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the body of prelates collectively.
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Sometimes Disparaging. the system of church government by prelates.
noun
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Also called: prelature.
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the office or status of a prelate
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prelates collectively
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Also called: prelatism. derogatory government of the Church by prelates
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of prelacy
1275–1325; Middle English prelacie < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin praelātia. See prelate, -y 3
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.
See Examples For:
As the first settlers of Massachusetts, whether Puritan or Pilgrim, had fled away from prelacy, so their spiritual descendants still hated the name of bishop.
From The Siege of Boston by Allen French
The archbishop of Seville could ill brook that a humble Dominican should be thus raised from the cloister over the heads of the proud prelacy of Spain.
From History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, Vols. 1 and 2 by William Hickling Prescott
But Dering appears only really to have aimed at the abolition of Laud's archiepiscopacy, and to have wished to see some purer form of prelacy re-established in place of the old.
From Books Condemned to be Burnt by James Anson Farrer
For then they would first repent themselves of their own conformity with prelacy, of their breach of covenant, &c.
From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Alexander Shields
Prel′atism, Prel′ature, prelacy: the time during which a prelate exercises authority; Prel′atist, an upholder of prelacy.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
My honour and my manly dignity are of greater value in my eyes than all your livings, prelacies, and mitres; and I am ready to defend my honour against every one, even against Dr. Ritter.
From John Ronge: The Holy Coat Of Treves New German-Catholic Chruch by Anonymous
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