PRE'FECT, noun [Latin proefectus; proe, before, and factus, made; but directly from proeficior, proefectus.] 1. In ancient Rome, a chief magistrate who governed a city or province in the absence of the king, consuls or emperor. 2. A governor, commander, chief magistrate or superintendent.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI