flamen

American  

[fley-muhn, -men] / ˈfleɪ mən, -mɛn /

noun

plural

flamens, flamines

1. (in ancient Rome) a priest.

---

flamen British  

/ ˈfleɪmɛn /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) any of 15 priests who each served a particular deity

---

Etymology

Origin of flamen

1300–50; < Latin flamen (perhaps earlier *flādmen; akin to Old English blōtan to sacrifice); replacing Middle English flamin < Latin flāmin- (stem of flāmen )

Example Sentences

The one fact we know is the sacrifice by the flamen Volcanalis on May 1.

From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by Fowler, W. Warde

The one substantial proof of it lies in the unique and truly extraordinary character of the taboos placed on his flamen, and to some extent on the flamen's wife, by the Roman ius divinum.

From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by Fowler, W. Warde

Marius, who had married his father’s sister Julia, conferred on him the office of flamen Dialis before he was sixteen years of age; and his first wife was Cornelia, daughter of Cinna.

From The Student's Companion to Latin Authors by Middleton, George

On the former date, the flamen Quirinalis, assisted by the vestals, offered sacrifice, and the pontifices presided at horse and chariot races in the circus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 2 "Constantine Pavlovich" to "Convention" by Various

The flamen listened attentively to the remarks of his superior.

From Jovinian A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome by Kingston, William Henry Giles