In English ecclesiastical law . A stipend granted in cathedral churches ; also, hut improperly, a prebendary. A simple prebend is merely a revenue; a prebend with dignity has some jurisdiction attached to it. The term “prebend” is generally confounded with “canonicate;” but there is a difference between them. The former is the stipend granted to an ecclesiastic in consideration of his officiating and serving in tlie church; whereas the canonicate is a mere title or spiritual quality which may exist independently of any stipend. 2 Steph. Comm. 074, note.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
