n.
- an ordained minister of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Church, authorized to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments.
▸a person who performs ceremonies in a non-Christian religion.
- a mallet used to kill fish caught when angling.
v.
formal ordain to the priesthood.
Derivative
- priesthood n.
- priestliness n.
- priestly adj.
Etymology
OE prēost, of Gmc origin, based on eccles. L. presbyter; sense 2 of the noun alludes to the priest's function in performing the last rites.