vicar
Pronunciation: /ˈvɪkə/
noun
- (in the Church of England) an incumbent of a parish where tithes formerly passed to a chapter or religious house or layman. Compare with rector (sense 1)
- (in other Anglican Churches) a member of the clergy deputizing for another.
- (in the Roman Catholic Church) a representative or deputy of a bishop.
- (in the US Episcopal Church) a clergyman in charge of a chapel.
- a cleric or choir member appointed to sing certain parts of a cathedral service.
Origin:
Middle English: via Anglo-Norman French from Old French vicaire, from Latin vicarius 'substitute', from vic- 'change, turn, place' (compare with vice2)