simony

[ sahy-muh-nee, sim-uh- ]

/ ˈsaɪ mə ni, ˈsɪm ə- /

noun

the making of profit out of sacred things.

the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.

Nearby words

Origin of simony

1175–1225; Middle English simonie < Late Latin simōnia; so called from Simon Magus, who tried to purchase apostolic powers; see Simon(def 5), -y³

Related formssi·mon·ist, noun

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

Examples from the Web for simony

But that is precisely the transaction which you have cleared from the guilt of simony.
The Worlds Greatest Books, Volume XIII.|Various
The practice of simony has converted a temple into a loathsome stable.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Henry Martyn Baird
Is there any reality in the anecdote which makes of him the father of all simony?
The Apostles|Ernest Renan
Personally this ruler was wholly free from simony and waged an unrelenting war against the abuse both in Italy and in Germany.
The Rise of the Mediaeval Church|Alexander Clarence Flick

Geoffrey the First, seven years later, was excommunicated for simony and other vices.
The Story of Chartres|Cecil Headlam

British Dictionary definitions for simony

simony

/ (ˈsaɪmənɪ) /

noun

Christianity the practice, now usually regarded as a sin, of buying or selling spiritual or Church benefits such as pardons, relics, etc, or preferments

Derived Formssimonist, noun

Word Origin for simony

C13: from Old French simonie, from Late Latin sīmōnia, from the name of Simon Magus

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 simony

simony

c.1200, "the sin of buying or selling sacred things," from Old French simonie "selling of church offices" (12c.), from Late Latin simonia, from Simon Magus, the Samaritan magician who was rebuked by Peter when he tried to buy the power of conferring the Holy Spirit (Acts viii:18-20). Related: Simoniac; simoniacal.