Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

vicar of Bray

Save Word
\ -ˈbrā\

Definition of vicar of Bray

: a man of changeable allegiance : opportunist, turncoat

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 vicar of Bray

after the Vicar of Bray, semilegendary 16th century English vicar of the village of Bray, Berkshire county, England, who gave allegiance to Protestantism or Roman Catholicism according to the religion of the reigning monarch, and is said to have been twice a Protestant and twice a Roman Catholic vicar

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about vicar of Bray

Statistics for vicar of Bray

Comments on vicar of Bray

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

white elephant

Listen to the pronounciation of white elephant

something of little or no value

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

  • rotelle pasta
  • Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

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