English Explanatory Dictionary

cleric

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A member of a clergy.
  2. A spellcaster class that receives their spells (especially healing) from their deity.
adj
  1. Of or pertaining to the clergy.

Pronunciation

/ˈklɛɹɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-cleric.wav

Word forms

cleric clerics

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin clēricus, from Ancient Greek κληρικός (klērikós), from κλῆρος (klêros, “a casting lots, drawing lots”). Many officers at Athens obtained their offices by lot, as opposed to election (Liddell and Scott). Doublet of clerk.

Synonyms

blackcoat cleric clerical clergymember clergyperson black-collar pastoral

Antonyms

layperson

Related words

clerical clerisy clerk

Derived words

anticleric anticlericalism clericate clericity clericocracy declericalize
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