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vicariate

American  
[vahy-kair-ee-it, -eyt, vi-] / vaɪˈkɛər i ɪt, -ˌeɪt, vɪ- /

noun

  1. the office or authority of a vicar.

  2. the district presided over by a vicar.


vicariate British  
/ vaɪ-, vɪˈkɛərɪɪt /

noun

  1. Also called: vicarship.  the office, rank, or authority of a vicar

  2. the district that a vicar holds as his pastoral charge

"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

Etymology

Origin of vicariate

1600–10; < Medieval Latin vicāriātus, equivalent to Latin vicāri ( us ) vicar + -ātus -ate 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.

An apostolic vicariate is established in certain regions where there are too few Catholics for a diocese.

From Reuters • Jun. 3, 2010

Priests in the vicariate clucked disapprovingly about Musante's strange behavior these past few months.

From Time Magazine Archive

The vicegerent of the vicariate of Rome splashed the stone with holy water.

From Time Magazine Archive

In 1927, when the mission became a vicariate, he became its first bishop.

From Time Magazine Archive

Before leaving Canada the Bishop of Quebec had entrusted the administration of the apostolic vicariate to M. de Bernières, and, in case of the latter's death, to M. Dudouyt.

From The Makers of Canada: Bishop Laval by Leblond de Brumath, Adrien