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 think the church is incredibly stringent with its rules for every day vicars and those lower down the scale about what to do when abuse is reported to you," Mr Morse said.

From BBC

The Rev. James Anguiano, moderator of the Curia and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, delivered a homily in Spanish and English.

From Los Angeles Times

“The vicar came around and he said some prayers, some of them I think were in Latin,” he said.

From BBC

All Saints' vicar Jo Levasier opened up the church to take in the residents from the care home on Wednesday morning.

From BBC

A community left "devastated" by a house explosion which killed a seven-year-old has rallied to offer support to help those affected, a vicar has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• pastor