Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE'FECT, n. [L. præfectus; præ, before, and factus, made; but directly from præficior, præfectus.]

1. In ancient Rome, a chief magistrate who governed a city or province in the absence of the king, consuls or emperor. – Encyc.
2. A governor, commander, chief magistrate or superintendent. – Hammond. Addison.