Prefecture
/ˈprɛfɛktʃər/noun
A district governed by a prefect or the office of a prefect.
Did you know?The Roman praefectus was not merely an administrator: the title originally identified someone officially placed in authority over a territory, institution, or military force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheh₁-
“To put, place, or set”
Classical Latin
Latin
facere
“To make, do, or cause”
Classical Latin
Latin
praeficere
“To place in front or put in charge; prae- means “before” or “in front””
Classical Latin
Latin
praefectus
“A person appointed or placed in authority”
Classical Latin
Latin
praefectura
“The office, authority, or jurisdiction of a prefect”
17th Century
French
préfecture
“An administrative district or the office of a prefect”
17th Century–Modern English
English
prefecture
“A district governed by a prefect or the prefect’s office”