prefect Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a chief officer or chief magistrate
    • the prefect of Paris police

WordNet

Pre"fect noun
Etymology
L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. préfet.
Definitions
  1. 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.
  2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. France Brande & C.
  3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop. Shipley.

Webster 1913