Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PREB'END, n. [It. prebenda, prebend, provision; Sp. prebenda; Fr. prebende, from L. præbeo, to afford, to allow.]

1. The stipend or maintenance granted out of the estate of a cathedral or collegiate church. Prebends are simple or dignitary; simple, when they are restricted to the revenue only; and dignitary, when they have jurisdiction annexed to them. – Encyc.
2. A prebendary. [Not in use.] – Bacon.