Rector vs Reverend - What's the difference?

rector | reverend |


As nouns the difference between rector and reverend

is that rector is in the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it while reverend is a member of the Christian clergy.

As a proper noun Rector

is an English surname; derived from the German surname Richter.

As an adjective reverend is

worthy of reverence or respect.

rector

English

Alternative forms

* rectour (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • In the Anglican Church, a cleric in charge of a parish and who owns the tithes of it.
  • * , chapter=10
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector' s face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}
  • In the Roman Catholic Church, a cleric with managerial as well as spiritual responsibility for a church or other institution.
  • A headmaster in various educational institutions, e.g. a university.
  • reverend

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • worthy of reverence or respect
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (informal) a member of the Christian clergy