Definitions for: Priest


[n] a clergyman in many Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites
[n] a spiritual leader in a non-Christian religion



Webster (1913) Definition: Priest, n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. pre['o]st, fr. L.
presbyter, Gr. ? elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of ? an
old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L.
pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.]


1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister;
specifically:
(a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to
consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially,
one of the lowest order possessing this power.
--Murdock.
(b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who
belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and
deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial
services except those of ordination and confirmation.

2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of
sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the
divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist
priests. ``The priests of Dagon.'' --1 Sam. v. 5.

Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and
garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with
the people. --Acts xiv. 13.

Every priest taken from among men is ordained for
men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer
both gifts and sacrifices for sins. --Heb. v. 1.

Note: In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests;
but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high
priest, and all Christians are designated priests.


Priest, v. t.
To ordain as priest.

Synonyms: non-Christian priest

See Also: Aaron, canon, celebrant, clergyman, confessor, Domingo de Guzman, Dominic, druid, Father, flamen, hoodoo, lama, magus, man of the cloth, Monsignor, Padre, pontifex, priest-doctor, priestess, reverend, Saint Dominic, shaman, spiritual leader, St Dominic, vicar, votary

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