Meaning

A clergyman of high rank and authority, having jurisdiction over an area or a group of people; normally a bishop..

Definitions by Sense

1. A clergyman of high rank and authority, having jurisdiction over an area or a group of people; normally a bishop.
2. (intransitive), (obsolete) To act as a prelate.

Example Sentences

Hear him but reason in divinity, […] / You would desire the king were made a prelate.

’Tis acknowledg’d on all hands, ſays that learned Prelate, that the Authority, either of the Scripture or of Tradition, is founded merely on the Teſtimony of the Apoſtles, who were Eye-witneſſes to thoſe Miracles of our Saviour, by which he prov’d his divine Miſſion.

Inthronization, in ancient times, immediately succeeded the rite of consecration; the new bishop being honourably placed in his episcopal chair by the prelates assembled for his consecration.

The day before, Cardinal Burke and other traditionalist prelates made public an exchange of letters with Francis in which they aired grave doubts about the legitimacy of a major assembly of the world’s bishops and laypeople that will, on Wednesday, begin discussing some of the most sensitive topics in the church.

18 January 1549, Hugh Latimer, Sermon of the Plough Right prelating is busy labouring, and not lording.

Word Forms

• prelates
• prelating
• prelated

Synonyms for prelate

Related Words

When Should You Use Prelate?

Use prelate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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