simony

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

/ ˈsaɪ mə ni, ˈsɪm ə- /

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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

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English simonie, from 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

Simonov, Simon Peter, simon-pure, Simon says, Simonson, simony, Simon Zelotes, simoom, simp, simpatico, simper

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

How to use simony in a sentence

I should have told him that in my opinion his attitude was simony—rank simony, and let it go at that.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
But simony, or the sale of ecclesiastical benefices, was a still more alarming evil to the mind of Gregory.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
It was not merely simony; it was as to who should be the supreme master of Germany and Italy, the emperor or the pope.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V|John Lord
But enough deeds of immorality, tyranny, ambition and simony were found proved to justify the severest judgment.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various

He could not understand the selling of livings in England, and asked if it was not simony.
Journal in France in 1845 and 1848 with Letters from Italy in 1847|T. W. (Thomas William) Allies

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