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In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though with independent authority. Blackstone.

The district, office, or residence of an archdeacon. See Benefice. Every diocese is divided into archdeaconries. Blackstone.

The office of an archdeacon.

Of or pertaining to an archdeacon. This offense is liable to be censured in an archidiaconal visitation. Johnson.

Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of. If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. Ayliffe.

The territorial jurisdiction of a dean. Each archdeaconry is divided into rural deaneries, and each deanery is divided into parishes. Blackstone.

An archdeacon. [Obs.]

The space or thing defined by limits. The archdeacon hath divided it Into three limits very equally. Shak.

An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction. Blackstone.

A sum of money paid formerly to the bishop or archdeacon, now to the ecclesiastical commissioners, by an incumbent, as a commutation for entertainment at the time of visitation; -- called also proxy. Procuration money (Law), money paid for procuring a loan. Blackstone.

A tribute in money formerly paid to the bishop or archdeacon, at the time of his Easter visitation, by every parish priest, now made to the ecclesiastical commissioners; a procuration. Synodals are due, of common right, to the bishop only. Gibson.

eat or denunciation. Oracles severe Were daily thundered in our general's ear. Dryden. An archdeacon, as being a prelate, may thunder out an ecclesiastical censure. Ayliffe.

Of or pertaining to visitation, or a judicial visitor or superintendent; visitorial. An archdeacon has visitatorial power. Ayliffe. The queen, however, still had over the church a visitatorial power of vast and undefined extent. Macaulay.