Main Entry:

cler·gy

Pronunciation:

\ˈklər-jē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural clergies

Etymology:

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

Date:

13th century

1 : a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church 2 : the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion