rector

plural rectors · alternative obsolete rectour

1. In the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it.

   1 more example

   It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter X, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

2. In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
3. uncommonEastern OrthodoxyA priest or bishop in the Orthodox Church who is in charge of a parish or in an administrative leadership position in a theological seminary or academy.
4. In a Protestant church, a pastor in charge of a church with administrative and pastoral leadership combined.
5. A headmaster or headmistress in various educational institutions, e.g., a university.
6. ScotlandAn official in Scottish universities who heads the university court and is elected by and represents the student body.

plural Rectors

1. countableA surname from German.
2. A placename, from the surname:
   1. countableuncountableA city in Clay County, Arkansas, United States.
   2. countableuncountableA ghost town in Shannon County, Missouri, United States.
   3. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States.