What does vicarship mean?
Vicarship is a formal ecclesiastical noun meaning the office or position of a vicar. It may also refer, by extension, to the parish or jurisdiction for which a vicar is responsible. The word typically appears in institutional, historical, or religious contexts, such as the appointment of someone to a vicarship or a dispute over who should hold one. It is less common in general conversation than broader terms such as ministry and may sound especially traditional in relation to the Church of England. A vicarship should not be confused with a vicarage: although the terms overlap, a vicarage can also refer to the vicar's residence or to the benefice associated with the position. The suffix -ship indicates an office, state, or status, while vicar comes through Latin and denotes a deputy or substitute. Vicarship therefore neatly joins the idea of clerical office with the responsibility and territory that accompany it.
nounThe office or position of a vicar. By extension, it can also mean the parish or ecclesiastical jurisdiction under a vicar's care.
- The office or position held by a vicar.
- The parish or ecclesiastical jurisdiction under a vicar's care.
"After several years in the city, he accepted the vicarship of a small rural parish."
"His appointment to the vicarship was announced by the bishop."
"The dispute continued over who should hold the vicarship."
The plural is used when referring to more than one office, position, parish, or jurisdiction.
"She has held vicarships in both urban and rural communities."
Vicarship compresses an office and a jurisdiction into one ecclesiastical word: it can mean the vicar's position or the parish entrusted to the vicar.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vicarship
Vicarship was formed in English by combining vicar with the suffix -ship, a native formation expressing a state, condition, or office. Vicar comes through Old French vicaire from Latin vicarius, meaning a substitute or deputy, ultimately associated with vicis, meaning a turn or change. Related words include vicariate, vicarious, and viceroy.
Related word forms
How vicarship is actually used
Vicarship is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. In British usage it is especially associated with Church of England and other Anglican contexts, although comparable arrangements also occur in other Christian denominations.
Easily confused with vicarship
A vicarship primarily denotes the office or jurisdiction of a vicar, whereas a vicarage may also denote the vicar's residence or the benefice attached to the office.