prothonotary

noun

pro·​tho·​no·​ta·​ry prō-ˈthä-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce prothonotary (audio) ˌprō-thə-ˈnō-tə-rē How to pronounce prothonotary (audio)
variants or protonotary
prō-ˈtä-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce prothonotary (audio)
ˌprō-tə-ˈnō-tə-rē
plural prothonotaries
: a chief clerk of any of various courts of law
prothonotarial
prō-ˌthä-nə-ˈter-ē-əl How to pronounce prothonotary (audio)
ˌpro-thə-nō-ˈter-ē-əl
adjective

Examples of prothonotary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Blew is tasked with facilitating naturalization ceremonies in York County, Pennsylvania, as the county's prothonotary -- a clerk who handles civil matters. Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 4 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prothonotary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prothonotarie, from Late Latin protonotarius, from prot- + Latin notarius stenographer — more at notary public

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prothonotary was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prothonotary

Cite this Entry

“Prothonotary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prothonotary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

prothonotary

noun
plural prothonotaries
: a chief clerk of any of various courts of law
prothonotarial adjective
Etymology

Late Latin protonotarius, from proto- first in time + Latin notarius stenographer

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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