curate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person authorized to conduct religious worship
    pastor; minister; rector; minister of religion; parson.
    • clergymen are usually called ministers in Protestant churches

WordNet

Cu"rate noun
Etymology
LL. curatus, prop., one who is charged with the care (L. cura) of souls. See Cure, n., and cf. Cur
Definitions
  1. One who has the cure souls; originally, any clergyman, but now usually limited to one who assist a rector or vicar Hook.
    All this the good old man performed alone, He spared no pains, for curate he had none. Dryden.

Webster 1913