vicar

[vik-er]

noun

1. Church of England.

   1. a person acting as priest of a parish in place of the rector, or as representative of a religious community to which tithes belong.

   2. the priest of a parish in which tithes were formerly transferred to a religious house, chapter, or layperson, the priest receiving only the smaller tithes or a salary.

2. Protestant Episcopal Church.

   1. a member of the clergy whose sole or chief charge is a chapel dependent on the church of a parish.

   2. a bishop's assistant in charge of a church or mission.

3. Roman Catholic Church.,  an ecclesiastic representing the pope or a bishop.

4. a person who acts in place of another; substitute.

5. a person who is authorized to perform the functions of another; deputy.

   God's vicar on earth.

vicar

/ ˈvɪkə /

noun

1. Church of England

   1. (in Britain) a clergyman appointed to act as priest of a parish from which, formerly, he did not receive tithes but a stipend

   2. a clergyman who acts as assistant to or substitute for the rector of a parish at Communion

   3. (in the US) a clergyman in charge of a chapel

2. RC Church a bishop or priest representing the pope or the ordinary of a diocese and exercising a limited jurisdiction

3. Also called: lay vicar.  vicar choral. Church of England a member of a cathedral choir appointed to sing certain parts of the services

4. a person appointed to do the work of another

Other Word Forms

• vicarship noun
• subvicar noun
• subvicarship noun
• undervicar noun
• vicarly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicar¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French vicare, vicaire, vikere, from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicārius “a substitute, deputy,” noun use of adjective; vicarious

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicar¹

C13: from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicārius (n) a deputy, from vicārius (adj) _vicarious

Example Sentences

It said this was "proving difficult to fill", particularly after the vicar left in September, with recruitment for their replacement yet to begin.

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The Reverend Jan Smith, its vicar, said: "We were praying last night for all of the people on the train and those severely injured."

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Reverend Poppy Hughes, who was asked about those who said vicars should be apolitical, replied: "Jesus preached peace and compassion and that's why I'm here".

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"The Terrorism Act wasn't brought in to arrest vicars, retired grandmothers and NHS consultants for holding a placard," she pointed out.

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Prosecutors said some of the images found on the former vicar's phone originated from this site.

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Related Words

• pastor