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Webster 1913 Edition


Prefect

Pre′fect

,
Noun.
[L.
praefectus
, fr.
praefectus
, p. p. of
praeficere
to set over;
prae
before +
facere
to make: cf. F.
préfet
.]
1.
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.
2.
A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation.
[France]
Brande & C.
3.
In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.
Apostolic prefect
(R. C. Ch.)
,
the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank.
Shipley.

Webster 1828 Edition


Prefect

PRE'FECT

,
Noun.
[L. proefectus; proe, before,and factus, made; but directly from proeficior, proefectus.]
1.
In ancient Rome, a chief magistrate who governed a city or province in the absence of the king, consuls or emperor.
2.
A governor, commander, chief magistrate or superintendent.

Definition 2024


prefect

prefect

English

Alternative forms

Noun

prefect (plural prefects)

  1. An official of Ancient Rome who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.
    the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, or of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person
  2. The head of a department in France.
  3. A school pupil in a position of power over other pupils.
  4. A commander.

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