rector
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rector¹
- /ˈɹɛktɚ/ US
- /ˈɹɛktə/ UK
Rhymes with -ɛktə(ɹ)
Where it comes from
Inherited from Middle English rectour, rector, from Old French rector, rectour and Latin rēctor.
noun rectors · rectour
- In the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it. It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and
- In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
- A priest or bishop in the Orthodox Church who is in charge of a parish or in an administrative leadership position in a theological seminary or academy.
- In a Protestant church, a pastor in charge of a church with administrative and pastoral leadership combined.
- A headmaster or headmistress in various educational institutions, e.g., a university.
- An official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.
Rector²
Where it comes from
Americanized form of German Richter.
proper noun Rectors
- A surname from German.
- A city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States.
- A ghost town in Shannon County, Missouri, United States.
- An unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: parson, minister, curate, pastor, rectory, provost, president, dean, headship, headmaster, vice-chancellor, chancellor, master, league, superintendent, leadership
Translations
Every language
Talk about this word "rector." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/rector. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. rector. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/rector "rector." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/rector.Cite this
@misc{rector_2026,
title = {rector},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/rector},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
