prelate

v. i. To act as a prelate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Right prelating is busy laboring, and not lording. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prélat, LL. praelatus, fr. L. praelatus, used as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from a different root. See Elate. ] A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary of the church. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word and the words derived from it are often used invidiously, in English ecclesiastical history, by dissenters, respecting the Established Church system. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hear him but reason in divinity, . . .
You would desire the king were made a prelate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Prelacy. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a prelate. Harmar. [ 1913 Webster ]