lector

UK: /ˈlɛktɔː/ US: (lek′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lec•tor  (lek′tər), n. 

1. Education a lecturer in a college or university.
2. Religion [Rom. Cath. Ch.]
   • a member of the next to lowest-ranking of the minor orders.
   • the order itself. Cf. acolyte (def. 2), exorcist (def. 2), ostiary (def. 1).

• Latin: a reader, equivalent. to leg(ere) to read + -tor -tor
• 1425–75; late Middle English

lec•tor•ate  (lek′tər it, -tə rāt′), lec′tor•ship′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lector / ˈlɛktɔː/ noun

1. a lecturer or reader in certain universities
2. a person appointed to read lessons at certain services
3. (in convents or monastic establishments) a member of the community appointed to read aloud during meals

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin, from legere to read