Definition

The position or role of a prior, which is a leader in a religious community, especially in a monastery.

Example

He was appointed to the priorate after years of dedicated service to the monastery.

Conversation

Have you ever heard about the priorate in the monastery upstate?

Yeah, I read about it; it sounds really interesting.

I wonder what it's like to hold such a priorate position there.

It must come with a lot of responsibilities and respect.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Priorate → It is formed from "prior" (from Latin "prior", meaning earlier or former) and "-ate" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating a state or condition). The word "priorate" refers to the state or condition of being a prior, which is a title for a head of a religious community.

Memory Tip

Think of 'prior' meaning earlier or former, and remember that 'priorate' refers to the state of being in that earlier position, like a leader in a religious community.

Visually Confused Words