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nounin Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)Opposite:type of:
Definition that contains clergy
- order (usually plural) the status or rank or office of a Christian clergyman in an ecclesiastical hierarchy
- lay characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
- priest a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
- ordinary a clergyman appointed to prepare condemned prisoners for death
- religious of or relating to clergy bound by monastic vows
- bishop a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
- divine a clergyman or other person in religious orders
- reverend a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
- reverend a title of respect for a clergyman
- williams English clergyman and colonist who was expelled from Massachusetts for criticizing Puritanism; he founded Providence in 1636 and obtained a royal charter for Rhode Island in 1663 (1603-1683)