PROTHONOTAR

1 definition found

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  PROTHONOTARY. The title given to an officer who officiates as principal 
  clerk of some courts. Vin Ab. h.t. 
       2. In the ecclesiastical law, the name of prothonotary is given to an 
  officer of the court of Rome, he is so called because he is the first 
  notary; the Greek word prootos signifying primus or first. These notaries 
  have preeminence over the other notaries, and, are put in the rank of 


  prelates. There are twelve of them. Dict. de Jur. h.t.