sacerdotal

American  

[sas-er-doht-l] / ˌsæs ərˈdoʊt l /

adjective

1. of priests; priestly.

---

sacerdotal British  

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of priests

---

Other Word Forms

• nonsacerdotal adjective
• nonsacerdotally adverb
• sacerdotally adverb
• supersacerdotal adjective
• supersacerdotally adverb
• unsacerdotal adjective
• unsacerdotally adverb

Etymology

Origin of sacerdotal

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin sacerdōtālis, equivalent to sacerdōt- (stem of sacerdōs ) priest + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

Something holy or sacred, especially if it's related to priests, is sacerdotal. Some sacerdotal duties might include celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. The religious adjective sacerdotal goes back to the Latin sacerdos, "offerer of sacrifices" or "priest." It's sometimes used to mean "sacred," and the two words share a root meaning "to sanctify," but it usually applies directly to priests. You might refer to the sacerdotal garments priests wear, the sacerdotal rites they perform, or the sacerdotal authority they hold within the church.

Example Sentences

In December 1984, Rev. Cardenal was expelled from the Jesuit order and was suspended from conducting sacerdotal duties until further notice.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2016

That sacerdotal view has altered in recent years.

From Washington Post

Celibacy advocates argue also that a priest is, or should be, a man set apart from the passions and concerns of ordinary men, and abstention from marriage is a proper sign of his sacerdotal distinction.

From Time Magazine Archive

Jan. 1�Publication of Pope Pius XI's first encyclical since the Lateran treaties, giving thanks for his sacerdotal jubilee.

From Time Magazine Archive

The sacerdotal clan immediately fell into their proper rank in society—a very humble one—but the arrival of the missionaries deprived the new state-made priesthood of a fair trial.

From The Fijians A Study of the Decay of Custom by Thomson, Basil