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prefect
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.

pre·fect

noun \ˈprē-ˌfekt\

Definition of PREFECT

: any of various high officials or magistrates of differing functions and ranks in ancient Rome

: a chief officer or chief magistrate

: a student monitor in a usually private school

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Origin of PREFECT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praefectus, from past participle of praeficere to place at the head of, from prae- + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Foreign Functionary Terms

count, despot, emir, wardrobe, yeoman

Rhymes with PREFECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked

prefect

noun (Concise Encyclopedia)

In ancient Rome, any of various high officials with primarily judicial and administrative responsibilities. In the early republic, a prefect of the city (praefectus urbi) took over the consul's duties during their absence from Rome. The office lost some importance after the introduction of praetors (mid 4th century BC). Augustus revitalized the office when he appointed five prefects to supervise the city government, the fire brigade, the grain supply, and the Praetorian Guard. The praetorian prefects acquired great power and often became virtual prime ministers.