God is the supreme rector of the world. --Sir M.
Hale.
2.
(a) (Ch. of Eng.) A clergyman who has the charge and cure
of a parish, and has the tithes, etc.; the clergyman
of a parish where the tithes are not impropriate. See
the Note under Vicar. --Blackstone.
(b) (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A clergyman in charge of a parish.
3. The head master of a public school. [Scot.]
4. The chief elective officer of some universities, as in
France and Scotland; sometimes, the head of a college; as,
the Rector of Exeter College, or of Lincoln College, at
Oxford.
5. (R.C.CH.) The superior officer or chief of a convent or
religious house; and among the Jesuits the superior of a
house that is a seminary or college.