Prefect

['priːfekt] or ['prifɛkt]

Definition

(noun.) a chief officer or chief magistrate; 'the prefect of Paris police'.

Checked by Joseph--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person.

(n.) A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation.

(n.) In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Typed by Elvin

Definition

n. one placed in authority over others: a commander: the administrative head of a modern French department.—ns. Prē′fectship his office or jurisdiction; Prē′fecture the office or district of a prefect: the house occupied by a prefect.

Edited by Laurence