dignitary

[ dig-ni-ter-ee ]

/ ˈdɪg nɪˌtɛr i /

a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church.

Origin of dignitary

First recorded in 1665–75; dignit(y) + -ary

dig·ni·tar·i·al

[dig-ni-tair-ee-uh l] /ˌdɪg nɪˈtɛər i əl/, adjective

Many of them, such as a visiting French dignitary fresh off a plane from Paris at the age of 103, proved that 90 is the new 30.

John McCain’s Surprising Toast at Kissinger’s 90th Birthday Party |The Daily Beast |June 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
As soon as he was actually a dignitary of the Church, he turned his thoughts entirely to the stage!

The International Monthly, Volume 2, No. 4, March, 1851 |Various
Three or four lads in the street flew away like birds at the sight of the dignitary, but the doves remained.

The Fourth Estate, vol.1 |Armando Palacio Valds
Among the latter was the Prior of Jorvaulx, in the most gallant trim which a dignitary of the church could venture to exhibit.

Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 6 |Charles H. Sylvester

Whenever a priest or a dignitary wanted to distinguish himself he discovered something.

The Ship Dwellers |Albert Bigelow Paine
The “exarch” of the archbishop, who is a dignitary but not a bishop, has a seat in the provincial synod.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 9 |Various

dignitary

/ (ˈdɪɡnɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

a person of high official position or rank, esp in government or the church