Plural of curate; clergy members who assist a vicar or rector in parish duties, or verb meaning to select and organize (like curating a museum).
From Latin 'curatus' (a cared-for person, later a priest). The meaning evolved from 'one who cares' to a formal church position.
Curates were historically the 'underdogs' of the church—less powerful than vicars, they inspired lots of Victorian literature about ambitious young clergy members!
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