Coarb

/ˈkoʊɑrb/ noun

Definition

In early Irish history, a person who jointly held authority or power with another, especially in church positions.

Etymology

From Old Irish co-arb (co- together + arb heir or successor). This term applied specifically to joint abbots or joint ecclesiastical leaders in medieval Ireland.

Kelly Says

Irish monasteries had such complex power structures that they developed unique words like coarb—two people sharing a role, which actually prevented a lot of succession conflicts.

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