vicariate

plural vicariates

1. ChristianityThe office, authority, or district of a vicar.

   His next was to claim, in virtue of this vicariate, the mediatorial “power in heaven and in earth”

   a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number)”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC

2. The office, authority, or district held by a person as deputy for a bishop, or similar ecclesiastical authority.

   Vigilius gave his Vicariate to this Arch-Bishop in the Provinces.

   1725, Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 17th C.

   2 more examples

   Upon ye late remove of our patriarch's vicar there hath fallen vacant a benefice annexed to ye vicariat.

   1611, Sir D. Carleton, Letter in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I.

   St. Charles established a vicariat, that things might be done with deliberation and counsel, which many other bishops imitated.

   1773, A. Butler, Lives of Saints

3. The office, authority, or district managed by someone appointed as deputy to a secular political leader.

   If he should chance to fayle, the vicariate of Upper Germany must neades fall upon the Palatin.

   1619, F. Cottington, Letters in Eng. & Germ.

   2 more examples

   He has accepted and taken upon him‥his part of the Vicariate of the Empire during the present Vacancy.

   1711, London Gazette

   The vicariat of that part of Germany which is governed by the Saxon laws, devolved to the elector of Saxony.

   1769, Robertson, Chas. V, ii. Wks.

comparative more vicariate · superlative most vicariate

1. archaicraredelegated; relating to a representative; vicarious.

   To the Bishops of Arles had the Holy See deputed a vicariate power there.

   1849, Daniel Rock, The Church of Our Fathers