provisor

noun

pro·​vi·​sor
prəˈvīzə(r)
plural -s
1
: one having a provision especially papal to a benefice not yet vacant compare provision sense 5b
2
: one having charge of getting provisions (as for an army or a religious house) : purveyor, steward
3
obsolete : one who provides (as care, protection, sustenance) : guardian
4
: a cleric acting as an assistant to or vicar for an archbishop or bishop : an ecclesiastical deputy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English provisour, from Anglo-French, Medieval Latin, & Latin; Anglo-French provisour ecclesiastical provisor, from Medieval Latin provisor ecclesiastical provisor, guardian, administrator, from Latin, one that provides, from provisus (past participle of providēre to provide) + -or

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near provisor

Cite this Entry

“Provisor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provisor. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!