priest
//ˈpɹiːst//
Forms
- Plural
- priests
- present (v1)
- priest
- past (v2)
- priested
- past participle (v3)
- priested
- present participle
- priesting
- 3rd person singular
- priests
Definitions
1.A religious clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple.
- The Shinto priest burnt incense for his ancestors.
- The priest at the Catholic church heard his confession.
- The Israelite priests were descended from Moses' brother Aaron.
2.A blunt tool, used for quickly stunning and killing fish.
- They flop and struggle, but she unhooks them swiftly, stunning them with a small brass priest.
3.The highest office in the Aaronic priesthood.
1.To ordain as a priest.
- Chapman was a lay missionary and was not deaconed until 1844 and priested in 1852.
- Thus, Samuel Seabury.. was deaconed by the Bishop of Lincoln and priested by the Bishop of Carlisle.
- He was deaconed on the 23rd May, and priested on the 29th September, 1624, by John, Bishop of Sodar and Man.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2484
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English prest, preest, from Old English prēost (“priest”), from Late Latin presbyter, from Ancient Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbúteros), from πρέσβυς (présbus, “elder, older”). Reinforced in Middle English by Old French prestre, also from Latin presbyter. Doublet of presbyter and prester.