Found 2 items, similar to prefect.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: prefect prefect n : a chief officer or chief magistrate; “the prefect of Paris police”
English → English (gcide) Definition: Prefect Prefect \Pre"fect\, n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F. pr['e]fet.] 1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person. [1913 Webster] 2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of municipal regulation. [France] --Brande & C. [1913 Webster] 3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop. [1913 Webster] Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. --Shipley. [1913 Webster]