Clergy
/ˈklɜːr.dʒi/noun
The body of people ordained for religious duties in the Christian Church.
Did you know?The term 'clergy' comes from the Greek word 'kleros', meaning 'lot' or 'inheritance', reflecting the belief that they were chosen by divine fate.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κλῆρος (klēros)
“A lot, a portion, or a divine inheritance, often linked to the selection of priests.”
Late Latin
Latin
clēricus
“One who is ordained, derived from Greek, indicating a person of the church.”
Old French
Old French
clergié
“The body of clergy or clerics, denoting those engaged in ecclesiastical duties.”
Middle English
Middle English
clergie
“The body of clergy; learned or scholarly, as the clergy were often the educated class.”
Modern English
English
clergy
“The collective term for ordained ministers, signifying their role in spiritual leadership.”