cloth

1 a woven or knitted material (as of cotton or nylon) <cotton canvas was the cloth traditionally used for a ship's sails> Synonyms fabric, textile Related Words fiber, thread, yarn; rag

2 the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church <he's a member of the cloth, but that doesn't keep him from enjoying a stiff drink every now and then> Synonyms church, clergy, first estate, ministry, spirituality, spiritualtyRelated Words diaconate, episcopate, hierarchy, presbytery; clerkship, monkhood, priesthoodAntonyms laity