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Origin and history of rectory

rectory(n.)

mid-15c. (in rectorie-bok), "benefice held by a rector, parish church or parsonage," with all its rights and privileges, from French rectorie (14c.) or Medieval Latin rectoria, from rector (see rector). In reference to his residence or house by 1849.

Entries linking to rectory

late 14c., rectour (late 13c. as a surname, early 13c. in Anglo-Latin), "ruler of a country or people" (a sense now obsolete), from Latin rector "ruler, governor, director, guide," from rect-, past participle stem of regere "to rule, guide" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule").

The meaning "head of a college or religious community" is by early 15c., though the exact religious sense varies across place and time and with different denominations. Used originally of Roman governors and God; by 18c. generally restricted to clergymen and college heads. Fem. forms were rectress (c. 1600); rectrix (1610s). Related: Rectorship; rectorial.

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