provisor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical church law: a person appointed by papal provision to a benefice, sometimes before the office became vacant

   The statute sought to prevent a foreign provisor from taking an English benefice by papal appointment.

2. 2
   noun

   a cleric acting as an assistant, deputy, or vicar for a bishop or archbishop

   The archbishop sent his provisor to oversee the diocesan inquiry.

3. 3
   noun

   a person responsible for obtaining supplies, especially for an army or religious house; a purveyor or steward

   The abbey's provisor bought grain and oil for the winter stores.

From Middle English provisour, through Anglo-French and Medieval Latin provisor, from Latin providere, 'to foresee or provide.' The general provider or steward sense specialized in church administration for a papal appointee or episcopal deputy.

Topics