Search the Dictionary

of rich embroidery, wholly or in part of gold, affixed to vestments, especially those of ecclesiastics. Pugin.

An ecclesiastical society, usually not bounded by territorial limits, but composed of those persons who choose to unite under the charge of a particular priest, clergyman, or minister; also, loosely, the territory in which the members of a congregation live. [U. S.]

A person who represents a parish in its ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of souls.

The glebe and house, or the house only, owned by a parish or ecclesiastical society, and appropriated to the maintenance or use of the incumbent or settled pastor.

The residence of an ecclesiastic patriarch.

The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Blackstone.

A vote of assent, as of the governing body of a university, of an ecclesiastical council, etc.

The state of a pluralist; the holding of more than one ecclesiastical living at a time. [Eng.]

A clerk or clergyman who holds more than one ecclesiastical benefice. [Eng.] Of the parochial clergy, a large proportion were pluralists. Macaulay.

subjects; that branch of theological science which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical controversy.

ation of any human institution. Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God himself be author of it. Hooker.

Any ecclesiastic, esp. a bishop. [Obs.] Foxe.

A formal approbation by the pope of a person nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. Addis & Arnold.

The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. "Divers of the reverend prelacy, and other most judicious men." Hooker.

Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of a communion so governed.

To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution. The patron of a church may present his clerk to a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted. Blackstone.

The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church; the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of England.

The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop.

The first fruit; the first year's whole profit of an ecclesiastical preferment. The primitias of your parsonage. Spenser.

A service book relating to ecclesiastical processions. J. Gregory.