Also 6 lectour. [a. L. lector reader, agent-n. f. legĕre, lect- to read. Cf. F. lecteur.]
1. Eccl. An ecclesiastic belonging to one of the minor orders, whose duty originally consisted in reading the ‘lessons.’
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 201/2. Julyan … entrid in to relygyon … and semed to be holy and was made lector.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 106. Four inferiours, to wit, the order of ostiars, lectors, Exorcists and Acolyts.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., IV. iv. 19. A lectors publike reading of Scripture in the Church upon the Sabbath day.
1847. Ld. Lindsay, Chr. Art, I. p. clxxix. The custom was that the lector should not begin to read till the bishop nodded to him.
1852. J. H. Newman, Callista (1890), 339. The Lector, a man of venerable age, taking the roll called Lectionarium, and proceeding to the pulpit, read the Prophets to the people.
1885. Catholic Dict. (ed. 3), 381/1. The singing of the Gospel was not always reserved to the deacon … and … the lector still recites the Gospel in the Greek Mass.
2. A reader; chiefly spec. a ‘reader’ or lecturer in a college or university (now only Hist. and with reference to foreign use, e.g., that of Germany).
1563–7. Buchanan, Reform. St. Andros, Wks. (1892), 6. Personis. The Principal. Ane Lectour Publik. Vj Regentis. Ibid., 7. Wagis of the Personis … The public lectour ane hundreth markis.
1658. Phillips, Lecturer, or Lectour, a publick Professour, a Reader of Lectures.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4406/1. Cardinal Carpegna, First Lector of the French College of Theatins.
1889. Edin. Rev., April, 331. Vincent de Beauvais was lector or Librarian to St. Louis.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Miner’s Right (1899), 178/1. Handing in the depositions … he desired us to read for ourselves. I was chosen lector.
Hence † Lectoress, a female instructor.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett., 270. Now after she hath … bin threescore yeares a Lectoresse in vice [F. a enseigné soixante ans le vice].
