priest
/ˈpɹiːst/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.33 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A religious clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple.
noun
The highest office in the Aaronic priesthood.
name
A surname.
Example Sentences
- "The priest at the Catholic church heard his confession."
- "The Shinto priest burnt incense for his ancestors."
- "The Israelite priests were descended from Moses' brother Aaron."
- "It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers."
- "The church was tighening up on matters sexual. Until the middle of the tenth century it had been quite routine for priests to be married."
- "They flop and struggle, but she unhooks them swiftly, stunning them with a small brass priest."
Etymology
From Middle English prest, preest, from Old English prēost (“priest”), from Late Latin presbyter, from Ancient Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbúteros), from πρέσβυς (présbus, “elder, older”). Reinforced in Middle English by Old French prestre, also from Latin presbyter. Doublet of presbyter and prester. * The Tyndale Bible uses native English elder instead.