Prelacy

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Prelacy \Prel"a*cy\, n.; pl. {Prelacies}. [LL. praelatia. See
     {Prelate}; cf. {Prelaty}.]
     1. The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by
        prelates.
        [1913 Webster]
  


              Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices.
                                                    --Ayliffe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of
        ecclesiastical dignitaries. "Divers of the reverend
        prelacy, and other most judicious men." --Hooker.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  prelacy
       n 1: prelates collectively [syn: {prelature}]
       2: the office or station of a prelate [syn: {prelature}]