Definition of Clergy

1. Noun. In Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity).

Generic synonyms: Priesthood
Specialized synonyms: Pastorate, Prelacy, Prelature, Cardinalate
Member holonyms: Clergyman, Man Of The Cloth, Reverend
Derivative terms: Clerical
Antonyms: Laity

Definition of Clergy

1. n. The body of men set apart, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually restricted to the ministers of the Established Church.

Definition of Clergy

1. Noun. Body of persons, such as ministers, priests and rabbis, who are trained and ordained for religious service. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Clergy

1. the body of persons ordained for religious service [n -GIES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Clergy

cleptomania
cleptomaniac
cleptomaniacs
cleptoparasite
cleptoparasites
cleptoparasitic
cleptoparasitically
cleptoparasitism
clerestories
clerestory
clergeon
clergeons
clergial
clergical
clergies
clergy (current term)
clergyable
clergyman
clergymen
clergypeople
clergyperson
clergypersons
clergywoman
clergywomen
cleric
clerical
clerical collar
clerical collars
clerical spectacles
clericalism

Literary usage of Clergy

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam ( Smith, Joseph Shield Nicholson (1895)
"The clergy ofeach particular country might be considered as a parti- calur detachment of that army, of which the operations could easily be supported and ..."

2. The Cambridge Modern History by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton, Ernest Alfred Benians, George Walter Prothero, Sir Adolphus William Ward (1907)
"The condition of the vast majority of the Orthodox clergy was deplorable, ... The parish clergy, composed of married priests, were overburdened with ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"His powers were very large, and his subordinates, the diocesan clergy, received only the stipends which he allowed them, while not only the support of his ..."

4. The History of the Reformation of the Church of England by Gilbert Burnet, Edward Nares (1843)
"In which, Km*'1 after he had set forth that both clergy and temporally ju«i«i, had abolished the Bishop of Rome's usurpations, ^ and had united to the crown ..."

5. Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1857)
"Till the 5th of Queen Anne a layman could not have the benefit of clergy unless he ... “The Judgment in case of allowance of clergy is thus: —‘ Super quo ..."

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