Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

obedientiary

noun
obe·​di·​en·​tia·​ry | \ -ch(ə)rē, -ri\
plural -es

Definition of obedientiary

1 obsolete : one owing or yielding obedience : subject
2 : one of the minor officials in a medieval monastery appointed by the abbot

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for obedientiary

Medieval Latin obedientiarius, from obedientia obedience + -arius -ary

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about obedientiary

Statistics for obedientiary

Look-up Popularity

Comments on obedientiary

What made you want to look up obedientiary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

redaction

Listen to the pronounciation of redaction

an act or instance of editing or removing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What's that Smell?! Quiz

  • wide eyed dog smelling rose
  • Someone who is hircine smells like a:
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games