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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM simony

si·mon·ist, noun

Words nearby simony

simoniac, simonides, simonize, simonov, simonson, simony, simoom, simp, simpatico, simper, simple
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for simony

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 forms of simony

simonist, 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