Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prelature \Prel"a*ture\ (?; 135), Prelatureship
\Prel"a*ture*ship\, n. [F. pr['e]lature, or LL. praelatura.]
   The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. --Milman.

Source : WordNet®

prelature
     n 1: prelates collectively [syn: {prelacy}]
     2: the office or station of a prelate [syn: {prelacy}]