- Also called: prelature /
ˈprɛlɪtʃə/ the office or status of a prelate prelates collectively - Also called: prelatism /
ˈprɛləˌtɪzəm/ government of the Church by prelates
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
prel•a•cy
(prel′ə sē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -cies.
- Religionthe office or dignity of a prelate.
- Religionthe order of prelates.
- Religionthe body of prelates collectively.
- Religion, Slang Terms[Sometimes Disparaging.]the system of church government by prelates.
- Medieval Latin praelātia. See prelate, -y3
- Anglo-French
- Middle English prelacie 1275–1325
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'prelacy' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):