Nearby Words
Synonyms

prelate

[prel-it] Origin

prel·ate

[prel-it]
noun
an ecclesiastic of a high order, as an archbishop, bishop, etc.; a church dignitary.

Origin:
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

prel·ate·ship, noun
pre·lat·ic [pri-lat-ik] , adjective
non·pre·lat·ic, adjective
un·pre·lat·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Prelate is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
prelate (ˈprɛlɪt)
 
n
a Church dignitary of high rank, such as a cardinal, bishop, or abbot
 
[C13: from Old French prélat, from Church Latin praelātus, from Latin praeferre to hold in special esteem, prefer]
 
prelatic
 
adj
 
pre'latical
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

prelate
c.1200, from M.L. prelatus "clergyman of high rank," from L. prelatus "one preferred," from prælatus, serving as pp. of præferre (see prefer), from præ "before" + latus "borne, carried" (see oblate (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

prelate

an ecclesiastical dignitary of high rank. In the modern Roman Catholic church, prelates are those who exercise the public power of the church. True prelacy is defined as "preeminence with jurisdiction," and true, or real, prelates are distinguished as (1) greater prelates, those who possess episcopal jurisdiction (such as patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops), and (2) lesser prelates, those who possess a quasi-episcopal or other jurisdiction (such as abbots and prelates "of no diocese" and religious superiors, withdrawn from the ordinary diocesan jurisdiction).

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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