vicar

[ vik-er ]

noun

1. Church of England.
   1. a person acting as priest of a parish in place of the rector, or as representative of a religious community to which tithes belong.
   2. the priest of a parish in which tithes were formerly transferred to a religious house, chapter, or layperson, the priest receiving only the smaller tithes or a salary.
2. Protestant Episcopal Church.
   1. a member of the clergy whose sole or chief charge is a chapel dependent on the church of a parish.
   2. a bishop's assistant in charge of a church or mission.
3. Roman Catholic Church. an ecclesiastic representing the pope or a bishop.
4. a person who acts in place of another; substitute.
5. a person who is authorized to perform the functions of another; deputy:

   God's vicar on earth.

vicar

/ ˈvɪkə /

noun

1. Church of England
   1. (in Britain) a clergyman appointed to act as priest of a parish from which, formerly, he did not receive tithes but a stipend
   2. a clergyman who acts as assistant to or substitute for the rector of a parish at Communion
   3. (in the US) a clergyman in charge of a chapel
2. RC Church a bishop or priest representing the pope or the ordinary of a diocese and exercising a limited jurisdiction
3. Also calledlay vicarvicar choral Church of England a member of a cathedral choir appointed to sing certain parts of the services
4. a person appointed to do the work of another

Derived Forms

• ˈvicarly, adjective

Other Words From

• vic·ar·ship noun
• sub·vic·ar noun
• sub·vic·ar·ship noun
• un·der·vic·ar noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicar¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French vicare, vicaire, vikere, from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicārius “a substitute, deputy,” noun use of adjective; vicarious

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicar¹

C13: from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicārius (n) a deputy, from vicārius (adj) vicarious

Example Sentences

I heard a story the other day of a neighbor of mine, who was at a dinner party with the local vicar, who is an extremely nice man.

From The Daily Beast

This woman attacked the vicar throughout the dinner party, for not being Christian enough.

From The Daily Beast

It's too early to say how the new vicar of Rome will fare in these hostile times.

From The Daily Beast

After all of the adventures at Hogwarts, Rowling may be saying, all you want to do is snuggle up with a cup of tea and a vicar.

From The Daily Beast

When Barack Obama tried to shush "loose talk of war," he got as much traction as a vicar giving a sermon during a soccer riot.

From The Daily Beast

But Mrs. Dodd, the present vicar's wife, retained the precious prerogative of choosing the book to be read at the monthly Dorcas.

From Project Gutenberg

The living (value £250) is in the gift of trustees, and is now held by the Rev. M. Parker, Vicar.

From Project Gutenberg

Conny stepped smilingly forward, and proceeded to affix the band around the vicar's massive throat.

From Project Gutenberg

The vicar's wife, still slightly discomposed, launched out into some parochial matter she had wished to mention to him.

From Project Gutenberg

He was released soon after Christmas, and another Vicar filleth his place.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pastor