priestess

Meaning

Noun

1. A woman with religious duties and responsibilities in certain religions.
2. (slur, uncommon) A female Christian priest or minister, typically in a Protestant, Old Catholic, or independent Catholic denomination.
3. (colloquial, obsolete) A priest’s wife.

Verb

To oversee (a pagan ceremony, etc.) as priestess.

Synonyms

churchwoman

clergywoman

priest

preceptress

Translations

prêtresse

ιέρεια

sacerdotisa

priesteres

Priesterin

sacerdotessa

sacerdos

sacerdotisa

sacerdotessa

rahibe

Nonne

Pfarrerin

ιερεία

sacerdōs

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpriːstɛs/

Etymology

Cognate with Middle English: preesteresse

In summary

From priest + -ess. Compare Middle English preesteresse (“priestess”).