prelate

[ prel-it ]
See synonyms for prelate on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an ecclesiastic of a high order, as an archbishop, bishop, etc.; a church dignitary.

Origin of prelate

1
1175–1225; Middle English prelat<Medieval Latin praelātus a civil or ecclesiastical dignitary, noun use of Latin praelātus (past participle of praeferre to prefer), equivalent to prae-pre- + lātus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear1

Other words from prelate

  • prel·ate·ship, noun
  • pre·lat·ic [pri-lat-ik], /prɪˈlæt ɪk/, adjective
  • non·pre·lat·ic, adjective
  • un·pre·lat·ic, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for prelate

prelate

/ (ˈprɛlɪt) /


noun
  1. a Church dignitary of high rank, such as a cardinal, bishop, or abbot

Origin of prelate

1
C13: from Old French prélat, from Church Latin praelātus, from Latin praeferre to hold in special esteem, prefer

Derived forms of prelate

  • prelatic (prɪˈlætɪk) or prelatical, adjective

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