The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Curate \Cu"rate\ (k[=u]"r[asl]t), n. [LL. curatus, prop., one
   who is charged with the care (L. cura) of souls. See Cure,
   n., and cf. Cur['e]]
   One who has the cure of souls; originally, any clergyman, but
   now usually limited to one who assists a rector or vicar.
   --Hook.
   [1913 Webster]

         All this the good old man performed alone,
         He spared no pains, for curate he had none. --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

curate
    n 1: a person authorized to conduct religious worship;
         "clergymen are usually called ministers in Protestant
         churches" [syn: curate, minister of religion,
         minister, parson, pastor, rector]