sacerdotalism

[ sas-er-doht-l-iz-uhm ]

/ ˌsæs ərˈdoʊt lˌɪz əm /

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noun

the system, spirit, or methods of the priesthood.

Usually Disparaging. priestcraft.

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Origin of sacerdotalism

First recorded in 1840–50; sacerdotal + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM sacerdotalism

sac·er·do·tal·ist, noun

Words nearby sacerdotalism

saccule, sacculiform, sacculus, sacellum, sacerdotal, sacerdotalism, sac fly, sac fungus, sachem, Sacher-Masoch, Sacher torte

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sacerdotalism in a sentence

The germs of Popery, Sacerdotalism, Puseyism, are inevitably contained in this latter thesis.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
He is accused of 296 sacerdotalism, and the free-citizen blood of his listening Erastians is up and flaming.
The Girl of the Period and Other Social Essays, Vol. II (of 2)|Eliza Lynn Linton
But I am digressing; for the fact is that I always see more of sacerdotalism afloat than I do on land.
Cities of the Dawn|J. Ewing Ritchie
These were the outward symbols of demonolatry and superstition invented by scheming priests as the fabric of their sacerdotalism.
The Unveiling of Lhasa|Edmund Candler

The brooding egotism that chafed at the least control was not likely to show any sympathy with sacerdotalism.
The Vagabond in Literature|Arthur Rickett

British Dictionary definitions for sacerdotalism

sacerdotalism

/ (ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the principles, methods, etc, of the priesthood

the belief that ordained priests are endowed with sacramental and sacrificial powers

exaggerated respect for priests

derogatory power over people's opinions and actions achieved by priests through sophistry or guile

Derived forms of sacerdotalism

sacerdotalist, 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