archpriest
(ˈɑːtʃˈpriːst)
[a. F. archeprestre (mod. archiprêtre):—L. archipresbyter (see prec.).]
A chief priest; spec. in early times, as still in the Italian Church, a kind of vicar to the bishop, acting also as dean of the cathedral; later, a rural dean. Also, the title of the superior of the Roman Catholic clergy in England from 1598 to 1623.
| 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 31 Another whyche named hym self Dauyd archeprest. 1577 Harrison Eng. i. ii. i. 15 Our deanerie churches..now called mother churches and their incumbents archpreests. 1710 Lond. Gaz. mmmmdccxvi/1 The Cardinal Marescotti is chosen Arch-Priest of St. Peter's Church. 1854 N. & Q. Ser. i. IX. 185/2 The Rectory of Haccombe..gives to its incumbent for the time being the dignity of Arch-priest of the diocese [of Exeter]. |
b. transf. or fig.
| a 1797 H. Walpole Mem. Geo. III (1845) III. vii. 193 Whitfield their archpriest..preaching his funeral sermon. 1866 Daily Tel. 26 Jan. 4/6 The archpriest of agitation, O'Connell. |
Hence archˈpriesthood, archˈpriestship (obs.), the position or office of an arch-priest.
| 1560 J. Daus Sleidane's Comm. 336 b, Whiche do vtterly contemne..archepreistship. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. ii. Wks. 1851. 45 Contending sometimes about the archpriesthood. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I./512 Libels against the Archpriestship. 1881 Athenæum 27 Aug. 268/1 The archpriesthood of the collegiate church of Sta. Maria Maggiore. |