[ 'prɛlət ]
■ noun formal or historical a bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary.
Derivatives
prelatic prɪ'latɪk adjective
prelatical adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. prelat , from med. L. praelatus 'civil dignitary', past participle (used asnoun) of L. praeferre 'carry before', also 'place before in esteem'.