\Pre"fect\, n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of
praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F.
pr['e]fet.]
1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a
   particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the
   prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a
   fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian
   prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the
   emperor's person.
2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its
   police establishment, together with extensive powers of
   municipal regulation. [France] --Brande & C.
3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of
   certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.
{Apostolic prefect} (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not
   of episcopal rank. --Shipley.