Webster's English Dictionary

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prelate

prel.ate \'prel-*t also 'pre--.la-t\ n [ME prelat, fr. OF, fr. ML 
   praelatus, lit., one receiving prefermen]t, fr. L, (pp. of praeferre to 
   prefer) fr. prae- + latus, pp. of ferre to carry - more at TOLERATE, BEAR : 
   an ecclesiastic (as a bishop or abbot) of superior rank