English Explanatory Dictionary

vicar

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. In the Church of England, the priest of a parish, receiving a salary or stipend but not tithes.
  2. In the Roman Catholic and some other churches, a cleric acting as local representative of a higher ranking member of the clergy.
  3. A person acting on behalf of, or representing, another person.

Pronunciation

/ˈvɪkɚ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-vicar.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-vicar.wav

Word forms

vicar vicars vic.

Etymology

From Middle English vicar, viker, vikyr, vicaire, vicare, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman vikare, vicare, vikaire, vikere and Old French vicaire (“deputy, second in command”), from Latin vicārius (“vicarious, substitute”). Doublet of vicarious.

Synonyms

priest rector curate proxy representative agent

Related words

vicarate vicarian vicariate

Derived words

lay vicar parochial vicar unvicar vicarage vicar apostolic vicar choral vicaress vicar forane vicar-general vicar general vicarial vicarish vicarless vicarly vicar of Bray Vicar of Christ vicarship
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