n.
- (in the Church of England) the incumbent of a parish in which all tithes formerly passed to the incumbent.
▸(in other Anglican Churches) a member of the clergy in charge of a parish.
▸(in the Roman Catholic Church) a priest in charge of a church or a religious institution.
- the head of certain universities, colleges, and schools.
▸(in Scotland) an elected student representative on a university's governing body.
Derivative
- rectorate n.
- rectorial adj.
- rectorship n.
Etymology
ME: from L. rector ‘ruler’, from rect-, regere ‘rule’.