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View synonyms for

priest

[ preest ]

noun

  1. a person whose office it is to perform religious rites, and especially to make sacrificial offerings.
  2. (in Christian use)
    1. a person ordained to the sacerdotal or pastoral office; a member of the clergy; minister.
    2. (in hierarchical churches) a member of the clergy of the order next below that of bishop, authorized to carry out the Christian ministry.
  3. a minister of any religion.


verb (used with object)

  1. to ordain as a priest.

priest

/ ː /

noun

  1. Christianity a person ordained to act as a mediator between God and man in administering the sacraments, preaching, blessing, guiding, etc
  2. (in episcopal Churches) a minister in the second grade of the hierarchy of holy orders, ranking below a bishop but above a deacon
  3. a minister of any religion
  4. Judaism a descendant of the family of Aaron who has certain privileges in the synagogue service
  5. (in some non-Christian religions) an official who offers sacrifice on behalf of the people and performs other religious ceremonies
  6. sometimes capital a variety of fancy pigeon having a bald pate with a crest or peak at the back of the head
  7. angling a small club used to kill fish caught
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make a priest; ordain
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

priest

  1. One who is designated an authority on religious matters. In some churches , especially the Anglican Communion , Eastern Orthodox Church , and Roman Catholic Church , the ordained church leader who serves a congregation of believers is called a priest. The priests in these churches administer the sacraments , preach, and care for the needs of their congregations. ( See also minister and pastor .)
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Derived Forms

  • ˈˌ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • l adjective
  • l adjective adverb
  • t· adjective
  • ܲd· noun
  • un·l adjective adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of priest1

before 900; Middle English prest ( e ), priest, Old English ŧDz, ultimately < Late Latin presbyter presbyter
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Word History and Origins

Origin of priest1

Old English ŧDz, apparently from presbyter ; related to Old High German ŧٱ, Old French prestre
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Pope Francis was a Jesuit - a Catholic religious order of priests known for their dedication to education and missionary work.

From

Holding his phone out to show a caller back home his surroundings, a Brazilian priest spun on himself, laughing.

From

“When he called, everyone would gather near the screen and say hello, in Italian, in Arabic, in English,” said Romanelli, one of Gaza’s last remaining priests.

From

He also appointed more women to leadership roles in the Vatican than any pope before him, although he stopped well short of advocating for them to become priests.

From

Several queued outside wooden booths, each topped with a sign indicating in which languages the priests inside could hear confessions.

From

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