The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prelacies
Prelacy \Prel"a*cy\, n.; pl. Prelacies. [LL. praelatia. See Prelate; cf. Prelaty.]
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The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by prelates.
Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices.
--Ayliffe. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of ecclesiastical dignitaries. ``Divers of the reverend prelacy, and other most judicious men.''
--Hooker.
Wiktionary
prelacies
n. (plural of prelacy English)