sacerdotal

[sas-er-doht-l]

adjective

1. of priests; priestly.

sacerdotal

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of priests

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacerdotal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacerdotal¹

C14: from Latin sacerdōtālis, from sacerdōs priest, from sacer sacred

Example Sentences

Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it.

Read more on Washington Post

Actually, the sole benefit of Trump’s election would be in making the presidency’s sacerdotal role — the nation’s moral tutor — terminally ludicrous.

Read more on Washington Post

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

Read more on Washington Post

“The sacerdotal gun did not go off,” The Brooklyn Eagle reported.

Read more on New York Times

Any serious collector will recognize this sacerdotal feeling — though I, being primarily a reader, prefer first editions I won’t be afraid to handle or even scribble in and make my own.

Read more on Washington Post