priest

priest

noun \ˈprēst\

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

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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