prelacy

[ prel-uh-see ]

/ ˈprɛl ə si /

the office or dignity of a prelate, or high-ranking member of the Christian clergy.

the order of prelates.

the body of prelates collectively.

Sometimes Disparaging. the system of church government by prelates.

Origin of prelacy

1275–1325; Middle English prelacie < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin praelātia. See prelate, -y³

He grasped at the prerogative; and to establish absolute power, prelacy, superstition and Arminianism seemed his principal aim.

Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) |John Howie
Our mountain of prelacy hath all these three bad qualities: 1.

The Covenants And The Covenanters |Various
This was for writing against Prelacy, not against Christianity.

Biographia Epistolaris Volume 2 |Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Nobody more fascinating and decorative could be found among the whole Roman prelacy.

The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete |Emile Zola

With the pride and avarice of prelacy he was totally unacquainted.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, No. 492 |Various

prelacy

/ (ˈprɛləsɪ) /

Also called: prelature (ˈprɛlɪtʃə)

Also called: prelatism (ˈprɛləˌtɪzəm) often derogatory government of the Church by prelates