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rector

noun

  1. academic official
  2. ecclesiastical profession
L41564 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛktɚ/ / /ˈɹɛktə/

name

Etymology: Americanized form of German Richter.

  1. A surname from German.
  2. A placename, from the surname:
  3. A placename, from the surname:
  4. A placename, from the surname:

noun

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English rectour, rector, from Old French rector, rectour and Latin rēctor.

  1. 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.

  2. In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
  3. 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.
  4. In a Protestant church, a pastor in charge of a church with administrative and pastoral leadership combined.
  5. A headmaster or headmistress in various educational institutions, e.g., a university.
  6. An official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.