Pre"fect (?), n. [L. praefectus,
fr. praefectus, p. p. of praeficere to set over;
prae before + facere to make: cf. F.
préfet.] 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.
2. A superintendent of a department who has
control of its police establishment, together with extensive powers of
municipal regulation. [France] Brande & C.
3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a
title of certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.
Apostolic prefect (R. C. Ch.), the
head of a mission, not of episcopal rank. Shipley.
