Definition of clergy Clergy

/klɚˈʤi/ - [klerjee] - cler•gy

We found 9 definitions of clergy from 7 different sources.

What does clergy mean?

Noun Plural: clergies
clergy - in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)
		laity, temporalty in Christianity, members of a religious community that do not have the priestly responsibilities of ordained clergy
		priesthood the body of ordained religious practitioners
		pastorate pastors collectively
		prelacy, prelature the office or station of a prelate
		cardinalate cardinals collectively

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clergy (Noun)
Body of persons, such as ministers, priests and rabbis, who are trained and ordained for religious service.

clergy (n.)
The body of men set apart, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually restricted to the ministers of the Established Church.
clergy (n.)
Learning; also, a learned profession.
clergy (n.)
The privilege or benefit of clergy.

clergy
klėr′ji, n. the ministers of the Christian religion, as holders of an allotted office, in contradistinction to the laity.—adjs. Cler′gyable, Cler′giable, entitled to or admitting of the benefit of clergy.—ns. Cler′gyman, one of the clergy, a regularly ordained minister; Cler′gy-wom′an, a woman belonging to a clergyman's family.—adjs. Cler′ic, -al, belonging to the clergy: pertaining to a clerk.—ns. Cler′ic, a clergyman; Cler′icalism, undue influence of the clergy, sacerdotalism; Cler′icate, clerical position; Cleric′ity, state of being a clergyman; Cler′isy, the class of learned men, scholars.—Clergyman's sore throat, chronic pharyngitis.—Benefit of clergy, originally an exemption of clergymen, in certain cases, from criminal process before a secular judge, but later covering the first offence of all who could read.—Black clergy, in Russia, the regular or monastic, as distinct from the secular or parochial, clergy. [Fr. clergé—L.,—Gr. klērikos, from klēros, a lot, then the clergy.]