vicar-general

[ vik-er-jen-er-uhl ]

/ ˈvɪk ərˈdʒɛn ər əl /

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noun, plural vic·ars-gen·er·al.

Roman Catholic Church. a priest deputized by a bishop to assist him in the administration of a diocese.

Church of England. an ecclesiastical officer, usually a layperson, who assists a bishop or an archbishop in the discharge of his judicial or administrative duties.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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Origin of vicar-general

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

OTHER WORDS FROM vicar-general

vic·ar-gen·er·al·ship, noun

How to use vicar-general in a sentence

He was Vicar-General of Chartres, and one of the greatest politicians of his time.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.1/3, 1831-1835|Dorothy Duchesse de Dino
He was old and infirm and after nine years, felt compelled to ask for a Vicar-General to assist him in his work.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921|Thomas J. Campbell
The said our father vicar-general was outside the court visiting the provinces, when the father commissary arrived.
The Philippine Islands, 14931898, Volume XXXVI, 16491666|Various
Our father vicar-general attended to that with the so holy zeal that he was known to possess.
The Philippine Islands, 14931898, Volume XXXVI, 16491666|Various

"It doesn't warm me up a bit, that sort of thing," said the Vicar-General.
Great Possessions|Mrs. Wilfrid Ward

British Dictionary definitions for vicar-general

vicar general

noun plural vicars general

an official, usually a layman, appointed to assist the bishop of a diocese in discharging his administrative or judicial duties

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