rector
noun
- academic official
- ecclesiastical profession
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɹɛktɚ/ / /ˈɹɛktə/
name
Etymology: Americanized form of German Richter.
- A surname from German.
- A placename, from the surname:
- A placename, from the surname:
- A placename, from the surname:
noun
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.”
- In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
- 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.
- 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.
- An official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.