vicar
/ˈvɪkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɪkɚ] /ˈvɪkər/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɪkɚ] /ˈvi-kər How to pronounce vicar (audio)/ (ame, mw)
vicar — noun
- vicarsingular
- vicarsplural
1. an Anglican priest responsible for a local church and the neighbourhood around i
an Anglican priest responsible for a local church and the neighbourhood around it, known as a parish
The vicar opened the church hall every Tuesday for the local youth club.
collocation: vicar + parish activities
Valentina asked the vicar to baptise her baby daughter next month.
After the service, the vicar stood at the door greeting each person.
Luca became the vicar of St Mary's in a small village near York.
The vicar visited elderly residents who could no longer come to church.
- priest
broader term used across many Christian traditions, not specific to the Church of England
- rector
similar Church of England role; historically the rector collected tithes while the vicar received a stipend
- minister
common in Protestant churches generally; less specific than vicar
- pastor
widely used in non-Anglican Protestant churches; emphasises spiritual care over institutional role
文法句型
vicar of + church or parish name
用法筆記
In the Church of England, a vicar is the priest in charge of a parish. Historically vicars received a stipend rather than tithes (which went to the rector), but today the roles are nearly identical in practice.
常見錯誤
2. a priest serving in the Episcopal Church of the United States who leads a missio
a priest serving in the Episcopal Church of the United States who leads a mission or small chapel that does not yet function as an independent parish
Brooke was appointed vicar of a small Episcopal mission in rural Montana.
passive: was appointed vicar of + mission
The vicar held Sunday prayers in a borrowed room at the community centre.
Omar served as vicar of the chapel for five years before it became a parish.
Chidi's first role after seminary was vicar of a Spanish-speaking mission in Texas.
Yuki, the vicar of the Pueblo mission, visited the rector at St Luke's to ask for help with the rent.
- priest
broader term; does not specify the mission-based role
- rector
leads a self-supporting Episcopal parish; one step above a vicar in the same tradition
- mission priest
describes the function but is not an official title
文法句型
vicar of + mission or chapel name
用法筆記
In the US Episcopal Church, a vicar leads a mission or chapel that depends financially on the diocese, unlike a rector who leads a self-supporting parish. Distinguish from sense 1: this is an American usage.
常見錯誤
3. a clergyman or clergywoman appointed to act for a bishop, archbishop, or other h
a clergyman or clergywoman appointed to act for a bishop, archbishop, or other high-ranking church official, handling duties in that person's name
The bishop sent his vicar to attend the regional conference in his place.
pattern: vicar as substitute for bishop
Ayesha served as the vicar general, handling paperwork the archbishop could not manage.
title: vicar general
Ezra was named vicar of the diocese while the bishop recovered from surgery.
The cardinal's vicar made pastoral visits to parishes across the region.
In medieval times, a vicar often collected tithes for an absent bishop.
- deputy
secular term; lacks the ecclesiastical context
- representative
broader, not specific to church hierarchy
- delegate
usually for a specific task rather than an ongoing office
- suffragan
specifically a bishop assisting a diocesan bishop; more senior than a vicar
文法句型
vicar general
vicar of + diocese
vicar to + bishop/cardinal
用法筆記
Common in Catholic and formal Anglican contexts. 'Vicar general' is a specific title for a bishop's chief deputy. Object is usually a bishop, archbishop, or cardinal. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about deputising for a superior, not leading one's own parish.