ˈvɪkə n. 1 a (in
the Church of England) an
incumbent of a
parish where tithes
formerly passed to a
chapter or
religious house or
layman (cf. RECTOR). b (in an
Episcopal Church) a
member of the
clergy deputizing
for another. 2 RC
Ch. a
representative or
deputy of a
bishop. 3 (in full lay vicar or vicar choral) a
cleric or
choir member appointed to
sing certain parts of a
cathedral service. øvicar
apostolic RC Ch. a
Roman Catholic missionary or
titular bishop. vicar-general (pl. vicars-general) 1 an
Anglican official assisting or representing a bishop
esp. in
administrative matters. 2 RC Ch. a bishop's
assistant in matters of
jurisdiction etc. Vicar of
Christ the Pope. øøvicariate n. vicarship n. [ME f. AF viker(e), OF vicaire f. L vicarius
substitute f. vicis: see VICE(3)]