rector

[rek-ter] /ˈrɛk tər/
noun
1.
a member of the clergy in charge of a parish in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
2.
Roman Catholic Church. an ecclesiastic in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation.
3.
Anglican Church. a member of the clergy who has the charge of a parish with full possession of all its rights, tithes, etc.
4.
the head of certain universities, colleges, and schools.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English rectour < Latin rēctor helmsman, ruler, leader, equivalent to reg(ere) to rule + -tor -tor
Related forms
rectorial
[rek-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /rɛkˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/ (Show IPA), adjective
subrector, noun
Examples from the web for rector
  • And though the door was shut in my face, it was not by the rector, or with malice prepense.
  • When the university rector tried to intervene, he was set upon and knee-capped with iron bars by the attackers.
British Dictionary definitions for rector

rector

/ˈrɛktə/
noun
1.
(Church of England) a clergyman in charge of a parish in which, as its incumbent, he would formerly have been entitled to the whole of the tithes Compare vicar
2.
(RC Church) a cleric in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation
3.
(Episcopal Church, Scottish Episcopal Church) a clergyman in charge of a parish
4.
(mainly Brit) the head of certain schools or colleges
5.
(in Scotland) a high-ranking official in a university: now a public figure elected for three years by the students
Derived Forms
rectorate, noun
rectorial (rɛkˈtɔːrɪəl) adjective
rectorship, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin: director, ruler, from regere to rule
Word Origin and History for rector
n.

late 14c. (early 13c. in Anglo-Latin), from Latin rector "ruler, governor, director, guide," from rect-, past participle stem of regere "to rule, guide" (see regal). Used originally of Roman governors and God, by 18c. generally restricted to clergymen and college heads. Related: Rectorship.