'prelatical' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praelatus', where the prefix 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'latus' (from 'ferre') meant 'carried' or 'set over'.

'prelatical' developed by combining the noun 'prelate' (from Middle English and Old French 'prelat', ultimately from Latin 'praelatus') with the adjectival suffix '-ical' (from Late Latin '-icalis'), yielding the modern English adjective.

Initially connected with the idea of someone 'set over' others (a preferred or placed-before person), it evolved to mean specifically 'relating to a prelate or the office/authority of prelates' in modern usage.