high priest

noun

a chief priest.

Judaism. (from Aaronic times to about the 1st century a.d.) the priest ranking above all other priests and the only one permitted to enter the holy of holies.

Informal. a person in a high position of power or influence, especially one who is revered as a preeminent authority or interpreter: the high priest of the young painters.

Origin of high priest

1350–1400; Middle English heiye prest

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

Examples from the Web for high priest

Historical Examples of high priest

He continues His office of High-priest, and intercedes for us with the Father.
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
Joseph Stump
The high-priest is called Dustoor, the others are called Mobed.
Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I
Friedrich Max Mller
The High-Priest yonder should know this mark, for he saw it at my birth.
Morning Star
H. Rider Haggard
While Krates was at his work not a word passed between him and the high-priest.
The Sisters, Complete
Georg Ebers
He has heard that you are fair, and he is about to demand of the high-priest that he should surrender you to him.
The Sisters, Complete
Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for high priest

high priest

noun

Judaism the priest of highest rank who alone was permitted to enter the holy of holies of the tabernacle and Temple

Mormon Church a priest of the order of Melchizedek priesthood

the head of a group or cultAlso (feminine): high priestess

Derived Formshigh priesthood, noun

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