prelaticadj.

1642 E. Dering Coll. Speeches on Relig. 94 Such of the Prelatick partie as are in love with..pomp and power.

1678 R. Barclay Apol. True Christian Divinity xiii. vii. 473 The Prelatick Calvinists have termed the Presbyterians Schismatical and Pertinacious.

1706 D. Defoe Jure Divino Pref. p. xviii In the late Proclamation for banishing Prelatick Ministers in Scotland.

1814 W. Scott Waverley I. xvii. 258 The prelatic clergy. View more context for this quotation

1894 S. R. Crockett Mad Sir Uchtred 183 They still held prelatic services.

1907 Times 14 Jan. 6/3 Such were his gifts that, had he been born in a prelatic Church, he would inevitably have reached its highest offices.

1998 BusinessWorld (Nexis) 27 Nov. 30 Over 80,000 people from all five continents belong to the Prelature. The headquarters and prelatic church are in Rome.

1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης viii. 72 We..are sure that the pietie of his prelatic modell, glister'd more upon the posts and pillars..then in the true works of spiritual edification.

1757 E. Perronet Mitre (new ed.) iii. lxxii. 155 Next, Crusius, warm, prelatic bard.

1800 S. T. Coleridge Talleyrand to Ld. Grenville in Morning Post 10 Jan. 2/4 My titles prelatic I lov'd and retain'd.

1821 J. Galt Ann. Parish xii. 116 A woman..of a prelatic disposition, seeking all things her own way.

1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity II. iv. iv. 80 Wilfrid..blended the rigour of the monk with something of prelatic magnificence.

1871 H. S. Cuming in Archæol. Jrnl. Sept. 321 Egwin or Ecgwine..whose prelatic rule extended from 693 to 717.

1916 J. Joyce Portrait of Artist v. 216 His very body had waxed old in lowly service of the Lord..and yet had remained ungraced by aught of saintly or of prelatic beauty.

1928 Mind 37 382 It is refreshing to hear..a prelatic philosopher blamed for ‘allowing high-sounding phrases to cover a lack of clear thinking’.

1980 E. Peters Heresy & Authority in Medieval Europe 166 The early history of papal dealings with the Waldensians illustrates the general tone of prelatic concern.