priest

priest

noun \ˈprēst\

: a person who has the authority to lead or perform ceremonies in some religions and especially in some Christian religions

Full Definition of PRIEST

:  one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God; specifically :  an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyman ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

Examples of PRIEST

1. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.
2. <searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism>

Origin of PRIEST

Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PRIEST

Synonyms

cleric, clerical, clerk, deacon, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, clergyperson, reverend

Antonyms

layman, layperson, secular

Related Words

churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe [slang], padre; clergywoman, deaconess, priestess; abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean, diocesan, monsignor, pope, prelate, presbyter; abbé, curate, curé, parson, pastor, rector, shepherd, vicar; chaplain, confessor, sky pilot; evangelist, missionary, missioner, missionizer, revivalist; friar, mendicant, monastic, monk, oblate, religious; high priest, high priestess

Near Antonyms

lay reader, lector

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with PRIEST

beast, east, feast, fleeced, least, piste, reest, triste, yeast