In ecclesiastical law. In its technical sense, this term includes ec-clesiastical preferments to which rank or public office is attached, otherwise describ-ed as ecclesiastical dignities or offices, such as bishoprics, deaneries, and the like; but in popular acceptation, it is almost invari-ably appropriated to rectories, vicarages, perpetual curacies, district churches, and endowed chapelries. 3 Steph. Comm. 77