— rectorial /rek tawr"ee euhl, -tohr"-/ , adj.
/rek"teuhr/ , n.
1. a member of the clergy in charge of a parish in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
2. Rom. Cath. Ch. an ecclesiastic in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation.
3. Anglican Ch. a member of the clergy who has the charge of a parish with full possession of all its rights, tithes, etc.
4. the head of certain universities, colleges, and schools.
[ 1350-1400; ME rectour rector helmsman, ruler, leader, equiv. to reg ( ere ) to rule + -tor -TOR ]