clergy

Body of persons, such as priests, who are trained and ordained for religious service.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈklɜːdʒi/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: clergie

In summary

From Middle English clergie (attested in the 13th century), from Old French clergie (“learned men”), from Late Latin clēricātus, from Latin clēricus (“one ordained for religious services”), from Ancient Greek κληρικός (klērikós, “of the clergy”). Equivalent to cleric + -ate.

Synonyms

priesthood

ministry

minister

pastor

pastorate

preacher

hierarchy

monasticism

priests

spirituality

monkhood

clerical class

churchman

spiritualty

churchmen

clergyman

clergymen

cleric

cloth

Translations

clergé

clero

clero

Klerus

κλήρος

clero

Geistlichkeit

ιερατείο

duchowieństwo

clerus

clerecía

clergat

geestelijkheid

chiericato

kler

Sentences

Lang and his fellow curates fashioned a clergy house from a derelict public house .

They apparently bombarded Sion Fort whenever they had a disagreement with the Catholic clergy !