01 n. A ruler or governor.
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1.
A ruler or governor.[R.]“God is the supreme rector of the world.” — Sir M. Hale.
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2.
A clergyman who has the charge and cure of a parish, and has the tithes, etc.; the clergyman of a parish where the tithes are not impropriate. See the Note under Vicar.(Ch. of Eng.)
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3.
The head master of a public school.[Scot.]
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4.
The chief elective officer of some universities, as in France and Scotland; sometimes, the head of a college; as, the Rector of Exeter College, or of Lincoln College, at Oxford.
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5.
The superior officer or chief of a convent or religious house; and among the Jesuits the superior of a house that is a seminary or college.(R. C. Ch.)