cleric

cleric
   This word (from the Greek klēros, meaning "a shard used in casting lots," which may be derived from the fact that religious officials were in charge of casting lots in temples) referred, from the Middle Ages until Vatican Council II, to a man who had received tonsure; because few people in the Middle Ages other than clerics could read or write, the term also became associated with people like clerks and accountants. Today the word usually refers to deacons, priests, and bishops.

Glossary of theological terms. . 2014.

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  • Cleric — • A person who has been legitimately received into the ranks of the clergy Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Cleric     Cleric     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • cleric — CLÉRIC, clerici, s.m. Membru al clerului. – Din lat. clericus. Trimis de ibogdank, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  Cleric ≠ laic, mirean Trimis de siveco, 03.08.2004. Sursa: Antonime  CLÉRIC s. (bis.) (înv.) duhovnic. (clericul este membru al… …   Dicționar Român

  • Cleric — Cler ic, n. [AS., fr. L. clericus. See {Clerk}.] A clerk, a clergyman. [R.] Bp. Horsley. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cleric — Cler ic, a. Same as {Clerical}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cleric — n. A member of the clergy. The Essential Law Dictionary. Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008 …   Law dictionary

  • cleric — (n.) 1620s, from L.L. clericus clergyman, priest (4c.), lit. belonging to the clerus; from Eccles. Gk. klerikos, belonging to the clergy, originally pertaining to an inheritance, but in Christian use pertaining to the ecclesiastical order, from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • cleric — ► NOUN ▪ a priest or religious leader. ORIGIN Latin clericus, from Greek kl ros lot, heritage (with reference to Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1) …   English terms dictionary

  • cleric — [kler′ik] n. [LL(Ec) clericus: see CLERK] a member of the clergy adj. relating to the clergy or one of its members …   English World dictionary

  • Cleric — A cleric (Ancient Greek κληρικός klērikos), clergyman (pl. clergymen), or churchman (pl. churchmen) is a member of the clergy of a religion, especially one who is a priest, preacher, or other religious professional. It is often used to refer to… …   Wikipedia

  • cleric — [[t]kle̱rɪk[/t]] clerics N COUNT A cleric is a member of the clergy. His grandfather was a Muslim cleric …   English dictionary

  • cleric — UK [ˈklerɪk] / US noun [countable] Word forms cleric : singular cleric plural clerics formal 1) a leader of any religion Muslim clerics 2) old fashioned a member of the clergy …   English dictionary

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