priestly

[ preest-lee ]

/ ˈprist li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR priestly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, priest·li·er, priest·li·est.

of or relating to a priest; sacerdotal: priestly vestments.

characteristic of or befitting a priest.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of priestly

before 1000; Middle English prestli, Old English prēostlic. See priest, -ly

Related formspriest·li·ness, nounnon·priest·ly, adjectivepseu·do·priest·ly, adjectiveun·priest·ly, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for priestly

The website Bishop Accountability keeps some of the most extensive records on allegations of priestly abuse available.
How Sicko Priests Got Away With It|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Priestly celibacy, obviously: you'll naturally attract people who can't act on their sexual desires in public.
Sex Abuse Scandals at Horace Mann: What Do They Tell Us About Private School?|Megan McArdle|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The study also cites a reluctance among some sisters to embrace the “reservation of priestly ordination to men.”
Former Nun Mary Johnson Criticizes Vatican Crackdown on U.S. Sisters|Abigail Pesta|April 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But the name Cohen is reserved for the priestly caste descended directly from the biblical Aaron.
The Big Baby-Naming Battle|Pamela Redmond Satran/Nameberry|May 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The priestly dinner scene is brighter: they eat their meat, roar with laughter, drink their beer.
We Miserable Catholics|Frank McCourt|December 19, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Hans read an article against the priestly party or clericals, and the piece was severely radical.
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 15|Various
He was a great hero, faithful to a great cause, as he regarded it, however averse this age may justly be to priestly domination.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
This was the first time in all my service to the church that I had asked anything of the priestly "fathers."
The Demands of Rome|Elizabeth Schoffen
But he broke the chains which bound him, and killed Busiris and his son and the priestly herald.
Myths and Legends of All Nations|Various
Because the priests are afraid that strangers would come who might undermine our religion, and with it the priestly income.
The Pharaoh and the Priest|Alexander Glovatski

British Dictionary definitions for priestly

priestly

/ (ˈpriːstlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest

of, relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a priest

Derived Formspriestliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for priestly

priestly

adj.

mid-15c.; see priest + -ly (1). Old English had preostlic, but the modern word seems to be a Middle English re-formation.