congé d'élire

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French congé d’élire (“leave to choose”).

Noun

congé d'élire (uncountable)

1. (Anglicanism) A licence from the Crown in England issued under the great seal to the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of a diocese, authorizing them to elect a bishop or archbishop upon the vacancy of any episcopal see in England.
   • 1966, Owen Chadwick, The Victorian Church, volume 1, page 25, note 2:

     The speed was such that the congé d’élire for Worcester arrived before the funeral of the dead bishop.