Prĕl'a-cy, n.

(110), n. [L. Lat. prælatia, from prælatus. See infra.] 1. The office or dignity of a prelate; government by prelates; church administration by high functionaries. Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices. Ayliffe. How many are there that call themselves Protestants, who put prelacy and popery together as terms convertible? Swift. 2. The order of prelates taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. “Divers of the reverend prelacy.” Hooker.