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

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".

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

A Cardiff vicar claimed thousands of pounds for him and his wife for work he did not do and set up a "breakaway" church, a tribunal has found.

From BBC

For the church's vicar, Lena Tjärnberg, the moment carries added meaning.

From BBC

Related Words

• pastor