rector
nounUS /ˈɹɛktɚ/ · UK /ˈɹɛktə/
Etymology Inherited from Middle English rectour, rector, from Old French rector, rectour and Latin rēctor.
In the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it.
- It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
Uncommon A priest or bishop in the Orthodox Church who is in charge of a parish or in an administrative leadership position in a theological seminary or academy.
Eastern Orthodoxy
In a Protestant church, a pastor in charge of a church with administrative and pastoral leadership combined.
A headmaster or headmistress in various educational institutions, e.g., a university.
Scotland An official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.
- Derived terms
- corrector, director, lay rector, missionary rector, prorector, rectoress, rector magnificus, rectorship, rectress, subrector