PREFECT

prefect

(noun) a chief officer or chief magistrate; “the prefect of Paris police”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

prefect (plural prefects)

(historical) An official of Ancient Rome who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.

The head of a department in France.

The head of a prefecture in Japan.

(British) A school pupil in a position of power over other pupils.

A commander.

Synonyms

• (Roman office): provost (obs.)

Anagrams

• perfect

Source: Wiktionary

Pre"fect, n. Etym: [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. préfet.]

1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. [France] Brande & C.

3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop. Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. Shipley.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition