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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[L.

praefectus

, fr.

praefectus

, p. p. of

praeficere

to set over;

prae

before +

facere

to make: cf. F.

préfet

A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.;

as, the

prefect

of the aqueducts; the

prefect

of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian

prefect

, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor’s person.

A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation.

[France]

Brande & C.

In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.

Apostolic prefect

(R. C. Ch.)

the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank.

Shipley.

Noun.

[L. proefectus; proe, before,and factus, made; but directly from proeficior, proefectus.]

In ancient Rome, a chief magistrate who governed a city or province in the absence of the king, consuls or emperor.

A governor, commander, chief magistrate or superintendent.