protonotary, n. [LL. protonotarius, fr. Gr. prw^tos first + L. notarius a shorthand writer, a scribe: cf. F. protonotaire.].
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A chief notary or clerk. Herrick. [1913 Webster]
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Formerly, a chief clerk in the Court of King's Bench and in the Court of Common Pleas, now superseded by the master. Wharton. Burrill. [1913 Webster]
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A register or chief clerk of a court in certain States of the United States. [1913 Webster]
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Formerly, one who had the charge of writing the acts of the martyrs, and the circumstances of their death; now, one of twelve persons, constituting a college in the Roman Curia, whose office is to register pontifical acts and to make and preserve the official record of beatifications. [1913 Webster]
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The chief secretary of the patriarch of Constantinople. [1913 Webster]
Prothonotary warbler (Zoöl.), a small American warbler (Protonotaria citrea). The general color is golden yellow, the back is olivaceous, the rump and tail are ash-color, several outer tail feathers are partly white.