vicar-general

[ vik-er-jen-er-uh l ]
/ ˈvɪk ərˈdʒɛn ər əl /

noun, plural vic·ars-gen·er·al.

Roman Catholic Church. a priest deputized by a bishop to assist him in the administration of a diocese.
Church of England. an ecclesiastical officer, usually a layperson, who assists a bishop or an archbishop in the discharge of his judicial or administrative duties.

Origin of vicar-general

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

OTHER WORDS FROM vicar-general

vic·ar-gen·er·al·ship, noun

British Dictionary definitions for vicar general

vicar general

noun plural vicars general

an official, usually a layman, appointed to assist the bishop of a diocese in discharging his administrative or judicial duties