rectory

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a house provided for or occupied by a rector or another member of the clergy

   The new rector and her family moved into the rectory beside the church.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: the office, benefice, or parish living held by a rector

   The patron presented him to a valuable rectory in Kent.

From Middle French rectorie and Medieval Latin rectoria, based on Latin rector ("ruler, director"). Rectory first named a rector's office or benefice; association with the office then produced the now-dominant sense of the rector's residence.

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