prothonotary apostolic

noun

, plural prothonotaries apostolic.

1. a member of the first college of prelates of the Roman Curia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothonotary apostolic¹

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

To Manhattan from Cleveland last week journeyed four members of the Cardinal's entourage—Monsignor Joseph Francis Smith, prothonotary apostolic and vicar general of the diocese; President Thomas Coughlin of the Morris Plan Bank who was chosen as gentleman-in-waiting; Henry Coakley, 18, son of a prominent Catholic family who was given the privilege of bearing the Cardinal's train; Joseph J. Mulholland, who got the job of ecclesiastical valet by writing a prize-winning essay on "The Influence and Benefit of the Congress to Catholics and non-Catholics of Cleveland."

From Time Magazine Archive