ecclesiastic

[ ih-klee-zee-as-tik ]

noun

1. a member of the clergy or other person in religious orders.
2. a member of the ecclesia in ancient Athens.

adjective

1. ecclesiastical.

ecclesiastic

/ ɪˌkliːzɪˈæstɪk /

noun

1. a clergyman or other person in holy orders

adjective

1. of or associated with the Christian Church or clergy

Other Words From

• anti·ec·clesi·astic noun adjective
• nonec·clesi·astic adjective noun
• unec·clesi·astic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecclesiastic¹

1475–85; < Late Latin ecclēsiasticus < Greek ekklēsiastikós. See Ecclesiastes, -ic

Example Sentences

Giovanni Francesca Abela, a historian and ecclesiastic of Malta, died.

From Project Gutenberg

Francis Xavier Talbot died; a French ecclesiastic, and author of some poems.

From Project Gutenberg

But only a cloistered ecclesiastic can be held responsible for such military procedure.

From Project Gutenberg

The Italian ecclesiastic Gavazzi, lectured at Quebec, and gave rise to a riot.

From Project Gutenberg

Adam de St. Victoire, a French ecclesiastic and writer, died.

From Project Gutenberg