prelature: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low FrequencyFormal, Ecclesiastical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “prelature” mean?
The office, rank, or dignity of a prelate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The office, rank, or dignity of a prelate; a prelacy.
The body or order of prelates, or the territory or jurisdiction under a prelate's authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare and confined to the same formal/ecclesiastical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes formal church hierarchy, authority, and tradition. No regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK contexts due to the established Anglican church structure, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “prelature” in a Sentence
He was appointed to the prelature of X.The personal prelature is responsible for...She wrote a history of the prelature.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or religious studies papers discussing church hierarchy.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used or understood by the general public.
Technical
Used as a precise term in Catholic canon law and ecclesiastical documents.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prelature”
- Misspelling as 'preliture' or 'prelater'.
- Using it to refer to the physical residence of a prelate (which is a 'palace' or 'residence').
- Confusing it with the more common 'preliminary'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A diocese is a specific geographical territory under a bishop's pastoral care. A 'prelature' is the office or rank itself, or can refer to a non-territorial jurisdiction (personal prelature).
In the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions, the office of prelate (bishop) and thus the prelature is typically restricted to ordained men. The term itself is gender-neutral but the office it refers to is not.
'Prelate' is the person who holds the high ecclesiastical office (e.g., a bishop or abbot). 'Prelature' is the office, dignity, or jurisdiction associated with that person.
No. It is a very low-frequency, specialised term. You will likely only encounter it in very specific religious, historical, or legal contexts.
The office, rank, or dignity of a prelate.
Prelature is usually formal, ecclesiastical, historical in register.
Prelature: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɛlətʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɛlətʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too technical for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRELate in a pictuRE. A 'prelature' is the picture/framework of his office and authority.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHURCH HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (attaining a prelature is a step up the ladder).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'prelature'?