PRELACY

prelacy, prelature

(noun) the office or station of a prelate

prelacy, prelature

(noun) prelates collectively

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

prelacy (countable and uncountable, plural prelacies)

The office of a prelate.

The prelature; prelates considered as a group.

A church government or organisation administered by prelates.

Source: Wiktionary

Prel"a*cy n.; pl. Prelacies. Etym: [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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition