prelacy Hear it!

prelacy Definition

prela·cy (prel′ə sē)

noun pl. -·cies

    1. the office or rank of a prelate
    2. prelates collectively
  2. church government by prelates: often a hostile term

Etymology: ME prelacie < ML(Ec) praelatia

prelacy Synonyms

prelacy

n.

  1. Hierarchy

    rank, episcopacy, prelatism; see ministry 2.

  2. Episcopate

    diocese, pontificate; see bishopric.