prebend

[ preb-uhnd ]

noun

1. a stipend allotted from the revenues of a cathedral or a collegiate church to a canon or member of the chapter.
2. the land yielding such a stipend.
3. a prebendary.

prebend

/ ˈprɛbənd; prɪˈbɛndəl /

noun

1. the stipend assigned by a cathedral or collegiate church to a canon or member of the chapter
2. the land, tithe, or other source of such a stipend
3. a less common word for prebendary
4. Church of England the office, formerly with an endowment, of a prebendary

Derived Forms

• prebendal, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·ben·dal [pri-, ben, -dl, preb, -, uh, n-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prebend¹

1375–1425; late Middle English prebende < Medieval Latin prēbenda, variant of praebenda prebend, Late Latin: allowance, neuter plural gerundive of Latin prae ( hi ) bēre to offer, furnish, equivalent to prae- pre- + -hibēre, combining form of habēre to have, hold

Word History and Origins

Origin of prebend¹

C15: from Old French prébende, from Medieval Latin praebenda pension, stipend, from Latin praebēre to offer, supply, from prae forth + habēre to have, offer

Example Sentences

It is worthy of note that certain important and old established abbeys in Wessex had canons’ prebends attached to their churches.

From Project Gutenberg

The vilest traffickers in souls are all His chapmen, and for gold a prebend’s stall He’ll sell them, or an abbacy or mitre.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew not what might be required of her, for Scarron's fortune was dwindling away, and he had been compelled to resign the prebend of Mans.

From Project Gutenberg

He was appointed also the Lady Margaret’s professor of divinity, and by virtue of that, he had a prebend in Worcester Cathedral in 1705. 

From Project Gutenberg

Nay, in times past, the sea had gone very near to sacrilege, for it has devoured the lands with which a prebend of St. Paul's was endowed.

From Project Gutenberg