primacy

Meanings

1. The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc.
2. Excellence; supremacy.
3. The office, rank, or character of a primate, it being the chief ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church.
4. The office or dignity of an archbishop.

Etymology

From Old French primacie, from Medieval Latin primatia (“office of a church primate”), from Latin primas plus a suffix corresponding to -acy. By surface analysis, prime + -acy.