Definition of: archpriest

(ärch′prēst′) noun
1. Formerly, the chief or senior priest of a cathedral chapter, serving as assistant to a bishop: later called a dean.
2. A rural dean.
3. A papal delegate appointed in 1598 as superior of Roman Catholic clergy in England: succeeded in 1623 by a vicar apostolic.
—arch′priest′hood, arch′priest′ship noun