prelate

From Old French prelat, from Medieval Latin praelatus, from past participle of praeferre (“to prefer”).

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɛlət/

prelate (plural prelates)

1. A clergyman of high rank and authority, having jurisdiction over an area or a group of people; normally a bishop.
   • Shakespeare

     Hear him but reason in divinity, […] / You would desire the king were made a prelate.

   • 1845, William Palmer, Origines Liturgicae, or, Antiquities of the English Ritual: And a Dissertation on Primitive Liturgies‎, volume 2, 4th edition, London: Francis & John Rivington, OCLC 25757264, page 310:

     Inthronization, in ancient times, immediately succeeded the rite of consecration; the new bishop being honourably placed in his episcopal chair by the prelates assembled for his consecration.

prelate (third-person singular simple present prelates, present participle prelating, simple past and past participle prelated)

1. (obsolete) To act as a prelate.
   • Latimer

     Right prelating is busy labouring, and not lording.

• pleater, replate, repleat