— lectorate /lek"teuhr it, -teuh rayt'/ , lectorship , n.
/lek"teuhr/ , n.
1. a lecturer in a college or university.
2. Rom. Cath. Ch.
a. a member of the next to lowest-ranking of the minor orders.
b. the order itself. Cf. acolyte (def. 2), exorcist (def. 2), ostiary (def. 1).
[ 1425-75; late ME leg ( ere ) to read + -tor -TOR ]