Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prelacy"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Prelacy \Prel"a*cy\, n.; pl. {Prelacies}. [LL. praelatia. See
{Prelate}; cf. {Prelaty}.]
1. The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by
prelates.
Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices.
--Ayliffe.
2. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of
ecclesiastical dignitaries. ``Divers of the reverend
prelacy, and other most judicious men.'' --Hooker.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
prelacy
n 1: prelates collectively [syn: {prelature}]
2: the office or station of a prelate [syn: {prelature}]
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