noun
- plural of prebend; stipends paid to clergy members from cathedral or collegiate church revenues, or the benefices that provide such stipends
Usage: ecclesiastical; historical
Examples
- The cathedral chapter distributed prebends to support the canons.
- Medieval prebends provided income for church officials.
- The reform reduced the number of prebends available to clergy.
- Several prebends were attached to the ancient cathedral.
- The bishop controlled the allocation of prebends within his diocese.