prel ‧ ate /ˈprelət, ˈprelɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Medieval Latin praelatus 'someone preferred, someone given a job' , from the past participle of Latin praeferre ; ⇨ ↑ prefer ]
a ↑ bishop , ↑ cardinal , or other important priest in the Christian church