What does "prebendary" mean?
An honorary canon of a cathedral or collegiate church.
Prebendary
/ˈpɹɛbəndəɹi/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An honorary canon of a cathedral or collegiate church.
- Grammar: prebendary is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: archbishop, benefice, bishop, canon.
- Useful contrasts: active canon, lay, layperson.
- Usage evidence: Among the prebendaries have been men eminent for their learning and piety: as Lancelot Andrews, bishop of Winchester, Dr. Sherlock, Archdeacon Paley, and the Rev. William Beloe, B.D. well known by his translation of Herodotus.
How to use "prebendary"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "prebendary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "prebendary" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "prebendary" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "prebendary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "prebendary" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "archbishop" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An honorary canon of a cathedral or collegiate church.
"Among the prebendaries have been men eminent for their learning and piety: as Lancelot Andrews, bishop of Winchester, Dr. Sherlock, Archdeacon Paley, and the Rev. William Beloe, B.D. well known by his translation of Herodotus."
- 2 a canon who receives a prebend for serving the church wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Pertaining to the office or person of a prebendary; prebendal. not-comparable
"This is at least a third of the way up the career path to being a saint. Conscientious men (and women for that matter) often hear a sort of susurration in their ears when they achieve this prebendary status."
- 2 Of or relating to official positions that are profitable for the incumbent, to the allocation of such positions, or to a system in which such allocation is prevalent. not-comparable
"While in the cloth, all clerics, regardless of social origins, were members of privileged class, exempt from corvée and taxes and sharing the government’s prebendary benefices of land and conscript labor."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Among the prebendaries have been men eminent for their learning and piety: as Lancelot Andrews, bishop of Winchester, Dr. Sherlock, Archdeacon Paley, and the Rev. William Beloe, B.D. well known by his translation of Herodotus."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prebendary"?
Common synonyms include: archbishop, benefice, bishop, canon, cardinal, cathedral canon.
How do you use "prebendary" in a sentence?
Among the prebendaries have been men eminent for their learning and piety: as Lancelot Andrews, bishop of Winchester, Dr. Sherlock, Archdeacon Paley, and the Rev. William Beloe, B.D. well known by his translation of Herodotus.
How do you pronounce "prebendary"?
Pronounced /ˈpɹɛbəndəɹi/.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin praebendārius, from Late Latin praebenda (“literally ‘things to be supplied’; prebend”), neuter plural of gerundive of praebeō (“supply”), from prae- (“pre-”) + habeō (“have, hold”).