Prefect

/ˈpɹiːfɛkt/ · noun

Meaning

(historical) An official of Ancient Rome who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc..

Definitions by Sense

1. (historical) An official of Ancient Rome who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.
2. The head of a department in France.
3. The head of a county in Albania or Romania.
4. The head of a prefecture in Japan.
5. (British) A school pupil in a position of power over other pupils.
6. A commander.

Example Sentences

the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, or of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person

Or think of a decent young citizen in a toga - perhaps too much dice, you know - coming out here in the train of some prefect, or tax-gatherer, or trader even, to mend his fortunes.

It seems that in the autumn of 803 he went on leave. His uncle Po Chi-chên, had recently been moved from his post at Hsü-chou and promoted to be Prefect of Hsü-chʻang in Central Honan.

Synonyms for prefect

Antonyms for prefect

Related Words

Word Forms

• prefects
• præfect
• praefect

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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