n. [ L., fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to rule: cf. F. recteur. See Regiment, Right. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. A ruler or governor. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] God is the supreme rector of the world. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (a) (Ch. of Eng.) 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. Blackstone. (b) (Prot. Epis. Ch.) A clergyman in charge of a parish. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. The head master of a public school. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (R. C. Ch.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
