clergy

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old English cleric < Latin clēricus < Ancient Greek κληρικός (klērikos) < κλῆρος (klēros), “‘a casting lots, drawing lots’”), (Eur.; many officers at Athens obtained their offices by lot, as opp. to election [Liddell and Scott])

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈklɜrdʒi/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)dʒi

[edit] Noun

clergy (plural clergies)

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

[edit] Derived terms

• clergyman

[edit] Related terms

• cleric
• clerical
• clerk

[edit] Translations