clergy

[klur-jee]

noun

plural

clergies 

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

clergy

/ ˈklɜːdʒɪ /

noun

1. the collective body of men and women ordained as religious ministers, esp of the Christian Church

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• clergylike adjective
• anticlergy adjective
• proclergy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clergy¹

1175–1225; Middle English clerge, clergie < Old French clergé (< Late Latin clericātus office of a priest; cleric, -ate ³ ), clergie, equivalent to clerc cleric + -ie -y ³, with -g- after clergé

Word History and Origins

Origin of clergy¹

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

Example Sentences

But the judicial bodies, known as parlements, along with the nobles and clergy—who would have been exempt from taxation—resisted his plans.

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"Hopefully this will set the tone for his papacy, because we want to work with him. We have the same goal, we want to end clergy abuse."

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Under the chapel's famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, the service will bring together clergy and choirs from both the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England, of which the King is supreme governor.

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Another article in the code says clergy “must not self-promote or use religious topics and content to attract attention and traffic.”

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They are eager to make the faith the centerpiece of their lives, led by clergy steeped in the Gospel and sacred tradition.

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Related Words

• priesthood