Rĕc'tor, n.

n. [Lat. rector, from regere, rectum, to lead straight, to rule, Pr. & Sp. rector, Pg. reitor, It. rettore, Fr. recteur.] 1. A ruler or governor. [Rare.] God is the supreme rector of the world. Hale.

2. (Episcopal Church.) A clergyman who has the charge and cure of a parish, and has the tithes, &c.; or the parson of an unimpropriated parish; a clergyman; a pastor. Blackstone.
3. The head master of a public school.
4. The chief elective officer of some universities, as in France and Scotland.

The same title was formerly given to the president of a college in New England, but it is not now in use. 5. The superior officer or chief of a convent or religious house; and among the Jesuits, the superior of a house that is a seminary or college.