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clergy

cler·gy
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [klur-jee]
    • /ˈklɜr dʒi/
    • /ˈklɜː.dʒi/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [klur-jee]
    • /ˈklɜr dʒi/

Definitions of clergy word

  • noun plural clergy The clergy are the official leaders of the religious activities of a particular group of believers. 3
  • noun clergy the collective body of men and women ordained as religious ministers, esp of the Christian Church 3
  • noun clergy persons ordained for religious service; ministers, priests, rabbis, etc., collectively 3
  • noun plural clergy the group or body of ordained persons in a religion, as distinguished from the laity. 1
  • noun clergy See collective noun.   1
  • noun clergy The body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of clergy

First appearance:

before 1175
One of the 8% oldest English words
1175-1225; Middle English clerge, clergie < Old French clergé (< Late Latin clericātus office of a priest; see cleric, -ate3), clergie, equivalent to clerc cleric + -ie -y3, with -g- after clergé

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Clergy

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

clergy popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

clergy usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for clergy

noun clergy

  • priesthood — the condition or office of a priest.
  • conclave — A conclave is a meeting at which the discussions are kept secret. The meeting which is held to elect a new Pope is called a conclave.
  • first estate — the first of the three estates: the clergy in France; the Lords Spiritual in England. Compare estate (def 5).
  • ecclesiastics — a member of the clergy or other person in religious orders.
  • cardinalate — the rank, office, or term of office of a cardinal

adjective clergy

  • ministerial — pertaining to the ministry of religion, or to a minister or other member of the clergy.

Antonyms for clergy

noun clergy

  • laity — the body of religious worshipers, as distinguished from the clergy.

Top questions with clergy

  • what is a clergy?
  • what does clergy mean?
  • what is clergy?
  • which statement about the clergy is true?
  • what is the clergy?
  • which did the civil constitution of the clergy not do?
  • which christian church allowed clergy to marry?
  • what did the civil constitution of the clergy not do?
  • how to make a clergy shirt?
  • how to put on clergy collar?
  • what is the clergy of christianity?
  • what is the difference between clergy and laity?
  • why do clergy wear collars?
  • when is clergy appreciation day?
  • what is the definition of clergy?

See also

Matching words

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