prefect

Meaning

1. (historical) An official of Ancient Rome who controlled or superintended a particular command, charge, department, etc.
2. The head of a department in France.
3. The head of a county in Albania or Romania.
4. The head of a prefecture in Japan.
5. (British) A school pupil in a position of power over other pupils.
6. A commander.

Synonyms

governor

marshal

monitor

official

regent

Translations

préfet

prefetto

Präfekt

prefecto

νομάρχης

reis

prefect

έπαρχος

Aufsichtsschülerin

prefecte

επιμελητής τάξεως

chef de classe

élève chargé de la discipline

Klassensprecher

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɹiːfɛkt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: prefect

In summary

From Middle English prefect and prefecte, from Old French prefect (Mod. French préfet), from Latin praefectus (“one placed in charge, overseer, director, prefect”), from praeficere (“to place in charge”).