vicar
C1formal, religious, historical
Definition
Meaning
An Anglican parish priest in the UK, historically receiving a stipend (salary) rather than the tithes directly.
Any representative or deputy acting on behalf of another, especially in a religious context; in historical Church of England terms, a cleric in charge of a parish where tithes were paid to a monastery or layperson. The term can be used metaphorically for someone acting as a substitute or figurehead.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In the Church of England, the roles of 'vicar' and 'rector' were historically distinct based on who received the tithes; now the distinction is largely historical but 'vicar' is the common term for a parish priest. In broader use, it implies a delegated spiritual authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'vicar' is a standard, common term for an Anglican parish priest. In the US, it is less common and often refers specifically to a clergy member representing a bishop or serving as an assistant, or is used in Episcopal Church contexts with a more specific, often administrative meaning.
Connotations
UK: Familiar, often associated with a local community figure. US: More formal, less familiar, can sound archaic or specifically ecclesiastical.
Frequency
High frequency in UK religious and cultural contexts; low frequency in general American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Vicar of + [Place Name]Vicar to + [Community/Institution]appointed as vicarserved as vicarVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Vicar of Bray (a person who changes their principles to suit the times)”
- “vicar of Christ (a title for the Pope)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or sociological texts discussing church structures.
Everyday
In the UK, common in news or conversation about local church events. Less common in US everyday speech.
Technical
Specific ecclesiastical term within Anglican polity denoting a type of incumbency.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The vicar spoke to the children.
- Our local vicar is organising a charity event next week.
- She married the village vicar last year.
- The new vicar has introduced several changes to the Sunday service format.
- Historically, a vicar received a stipend, while a rector received the tithes directly.
- Acting as a vicar for the absent bishop, he presided over the diocesan conference.
- The novel's protagonist, a disillusioned vicar, grapples with a crisis of faith in a rapidly secularising society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VICAR as the person in charge of a VILLAGE Church. VI(llage) + CAR(e) = VICAR, who cares for the village.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A DELEGATED POSITION (The vicar acts 'in the place of' Christ or the bishop).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'vikont' (виконт - viscount).
- Closer to 'prikhodskoy svyashchennik' (приходской священник) than 'nastoyatel' (настоятель), which is closer to 'rector'.
- The term 'vikariy' (викарий) exists in Russian Orthodoxy but denotes an assistant bishop, not a parish priest.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vicar' generically for any Christian priest (especially Catholic or non-Anglican).
- Confusing 'vicar' with 'rector' without historical context.
- Assuming the term is equally common in all English-speaking countries.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'vicar' most commonly used to refer to a parish priest?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All vicars are priests, but not all priests are vicars. 'Vicar' is a specific role within the Anglican church (a parish priest in charge), while 'priest' is a general term for an ordained minister in many Christian denominations.
Yes, in churches that ordain women, such as the Church of England since 1994, women can be and are vicars.
Rarely in common parlance. The Catholic Church uses terms like 'parish priest', 'pastor', or 'monsignor'. 'Vicar' is used in specific titles like 'Vicar General' (an administrative deputy to a bishop).
A vicarage is the house provided for a vicar to live in, similar to a rectory or parsonage.
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