lay clerk

American  

noun

1. lay vicar.

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Etymology

Origin of lay clerk

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Esme Byrd was a lay clerk at Bangor Cathedral for six months and regularly sang with the choir until leaving in January 2023.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2025

In 1756 a book on the subject was published at Worcester by Richard Lovett, a lay clerk at the cathedral, in which he records the treatment of a number of diseases with electricity.

From Nature • Mar. 16, 2020

I think that in many instances the lay clerk ought to have been instructed in the performance of his duties, to the profit of all concerned.

From The Parish Clerk by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)

He followed the services devoutly; and such a thing as attention, let alone devotion, on the part of a lay clerk had never been heard of in Morningquest.

From The Heavenly Twins by Grand, Madame Sarah

The first lay clerk, a man qualified to talk with his enemies in the gate, gave monthly dances; the leading tenor assisted at scientific demonstrations.

From For the Cause by Weyman, Stanley J.