1. cleric in charge of Episcopal parish: a member of the Episcopal clergy who is in charge of a parish
2. cleric in charge of Catholic congregation: a member of the Roman Catholic clergy who is in charge of a congregation, a college, or a religious community
3. cleric in charge of Anglican parish: a member of the clergy of the Church of England who is in charge of a parish. Rectors, unlike vicars, were formerly entitled to the whole of the tithes from their parish.
4. head of school: the head of some schools, colleges, or universities
[14th century. Directly or via Old French, "captain (of a ship), head of a university" < Latin, "ruler, governor" < regere "rule"]
