prefect

[pree-fekt] /ˈpri fɛkt/

noun

a person appointed to any of various positions of command, authority, or superintendence, as a chief magistrate in ancient Rome or the chief administrative official of a department of France or Italy.

Roman Catholic Church.

the dean of a Jesuit school or college.
a cardinal in charge of a congregation in the Curia Romana.

Chiefly British. a praeposter.

Also, praefect.

Origin

1300-50; Middle English < Latin praefectus overseer, director (noun use of past participle of praeficere to make prior, i.e., put in charge), equivalent to prae- pre- + -fectus (combining form of factus, past participle of facere to make, do¹); see fact

Related forms

subprefect, noun

underprefect, noun

Can be confused

perfect, prefect (see usage note at perfect)

Examples from the web for prefect

But with a few different words it would have made prefect sense.
The prefect grew furious at his constancy, and at length commanded his head to be beaten to pieces.
Find the prefect spot for your beach towel and soak up the sun.
Setting hens have a near prefect camouflage and will sit tight until approached within a few feet.
Each region and department is headed by a prefect appointed by the central government.
The prefect is not allowed to be a member of a political party.

British Dictionary definitions for prefect

prefect

/ˈpriːfɛkt/

noun

(in France, Italy, etc) the chief administrative officer in a department

(in France, etc) the head of a police force

(Brit) a schoolchild appointed to a position of limited power over his fellows

(in ancient Rome) any of several magistrates or military commanders

(RC Church) Also called prefect apostolic. an official having jurisdiction over a missionary district that has no ordinary

(RC Church) one of two senior masters in a Jesuit school or college (the prefect of studies and the prefect of discipline or first prefect)

(RC Church) a cardinal in charge of a congregation of the Curia

Also (for senses 4–7) praefect

Derived Forms

prefectorial (ˌpriːfɛkˈtɔːrɪəl) adjective

Word Origin

C14: from Latin praefectus one put in charge, from praeficere to place in authority over, from prae before + facere to do, make

Word Origin and History for prefect

mid-14c., "civil or military official," from Old French prefect (12c., Modern French préfet) and directly from Latin praefectus "public overseer, superintendent, director," noun use of past participle of praeficere "to put in front, to set over, put in authority," from prae "in front, before" (see pre-) + root of facere (past participle factus) "to perform" (see factitious). Spelling restored from Middle English prefet. Meaning "administrative head of the Paris police" is from 1800; meaning "senior pupil designated to keep order in an English school" is from 1864. Related: Prefectorial.