clergy

[klur-jee]

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noun, plural cler·gies.

the group or body of ordained persons in a religion, as distinguished from the laity.

Origin of clergy

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

Related formscler·gy·like, adjectivean·ti·cler·gy, adjectivepro·cler·gy, adjective

Can be confusedclergy cleric imam minister pastor priest rabbi

Usage note

See collective noun.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for clergy

priesthood, conclave, cardinalate, pastorate, rabbinate, prelacy, canonicate, canonry, deaconry, diaconate

Examples from the Web for clergy

Contemporary Examples of clergy

As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder
Jason McGahan
January 7, 2015
The Coalition is comprised of labor unions, anti-war activists, clergy, and so-called black empowerment groups.
As Michael Brown Grand Jury Winds Down, Is Ferguson on the Brink of War?
Ron Christie
November 16, 2014
African American clergy are getting in on the action as well.
Can Ferguson Swing the Election?
Joshua DuBois
October 26, 2014
Akin to the clergy receiving “The Call” from God himself, Minaj has been touched by a booty angel.
Nicki Minaj’s Ass-tastic ‘Anaconda’ Video and the Curse of the Butt Career
Kevin Fallon
August 21, 2014
There are supportive African (and African-American) clergy calling for coexistence rather than violence.
The Uganda Ruling is Good For Everyone But Gays
Jay Michaelson
August 1, 2014

Historical Examples of clergy

There are many uneducated preachers who move the classes the clergy cannot touch.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
I am, myself, as great an enemy to the luxury and splendour of the clergy as he can be.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1
Henry Fielding
The treating of bishops and clergy is often noticed in the accounts.
English Villages
P. H. Ditchfield
Well would it be if all the clergy were as sweet-tempered as that Bishop of Helstonleigh!
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
The Prefect of the Department, the Bishop, the clergy, objected to her story.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for clergy

clergy

noun plural -gies

the collective body of men and women ordained as religious ministers, esp of the Christian ChurchRelated adjectives: clerical, pastoral

Word Origin for clergy

C13: from Old French clergie, from clerc ecclesiastic, clerk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for clergy

c.1200, clergie "office or dignity of a clergyman," from two Old French words: 1. clergié "clerics, learned men," from Medieval Latin clericatus, from Late Latin clericus (see clerk); 2. clergie "learning, knowledge, erudition," from clerc, also from Late Latin clericus. Meaning "persons ordained for religious work" is from c.1300.