prothonotary

[ proh-thon-uh-ter-ee, proh-thuh-noh-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural pro·thon·o·tar·ies.

1. a chief clerk or official in certain courts of law.
2. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. any of the seven members of the college of prothonotaries apostolic, charged chiefly with the registry of pontifical acts and canonizations.
   2. an honorary title for certain other prelates.
3. Greek Orthodox Church. the chief secretary of the patriarch of Constantinople.

prothonotary

/ ˌprəʊθəˈnəʊtərɪ; prəʊˈθɒnə-; -trɪ; prəʊˌθɒnəˈtɛərɪəl /

noun

1. (formerly) a chief clerk in certain law courts

Derived Forms

• prothonotarial, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·thon·o·tar·i·al [proh-thon-, uh, -, tair, -ee-, uh, l, proh-th, uh, -noh-, tair, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothonotary¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin prōthonotārius, Late Latin prōtonotārius < Greek prōtonotā́rios. See proto-, notary

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothonotary¹

C15: from Medieval Latin prōthonotārius, from prōtho- proto- + Late Latin notārius notary

Example Sentences

You turn up your eyes in wonder—the prothonotary of an English court would scarcely sport such a fox-hunter's garb.

From Project Gutenberg

Alexander lured the prothonotary to Rome and, having confined him in the castle of S. Angelo, began a process against him.

From Project Gutenberg

I speeded to the prothonotary's office, which was kept in the village, and quickly ascertained the truth of Hadwin's pretensions.

From Project Gutenberg

Another of this family conspicuous for its brilliant coloring is the prothonotary warbler.

From Project Gutenberg

That day I found the first nest of the prothonotary warbler.

From Project Gutenberg