prelacy

[ prel-uh-see ]

noun

, plural prel·a·cies.

1. the office or dignity of a prelate, or high-ranking member of the Christian clergy.
2. the order of prelates.
3. the body of prelates collectively.
4. Sometimes Disparaging. the system of church government by prelates.

prelacy

/ ˈprɛləsɪ /

noun

1. Also calledprelatureˈprɛlɪtʃə
   1. the office or status of a prelate
   2. prelates collectively
2. derogatory.
   Also calledprelatismˈprɛləˌtɪzəm government of the Church by prelates

Word History and Origins

Origin of prelacy¹

1275–1325; Middle English prelacie < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin praelātia. See prelate, -y ³

Example Sentences

The commission’s other Democrat, Rebecca Slaughter, was critical of the FTC’s inability to hold Mr. Zuckerberg more personally responsible for the company’s inability to be transparent about personal prelacy.

From Washington Times

The J. Paul Getty Museum, after years of legal wrangling over eight pieces of colorful medieval parchment in its collection, announced on Monday that it has recognized a different rightful owner: the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

From New York Times

“There was chaos and tragedy” as the Gospels were handled by refugee families, said Lee Crawford Boyd, a lawyer with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck who has represented the Prelacy.

From New York Times

A ceremony will be held in the next month or so, acknowledging that the pages belong to the Prelacy.

From New York Times

The Getty and the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America jointly announced the settlement Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• domination