prelature

/priːˈleɪtʃə/ or /priːˈlɛtʃər/

Definitions

1. noun

The office or rank of a prelate, especially the chief bishop of a certain region or country; also, the territory or district under the jurisdiction of such a bishop.

“The prelature of the local bishop covered an extensive area in the countryside.”

Synonyms

  • diocese
  • episcopacy

Antonyms

  • laicization
  • secularization