n. Roman Catholic Church 1. a. Used formerly as a title for a priest holding first rank among the members of a cathedral chapter, acting as chief assistant to a bishop. b. An honorific title applied to a priest, which may be accompanied by a specific function. 2. Eastern Orthodox Church The highest rank a married priest can hold. [Middle English archeprest, from Old French archeprestre, from Late Latin archipresbyter, from Late Greek arkhipresbuteros : Greek arkhi-, archi- + Greek presbuteros, priest; see PRESBYTER.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.