Clerkship
/ˈklɜːrk.ʃɪp/noun
The position or job of a clerk, especially in an office or court.
Did you know?Clerk, clerkship, and clergy all trace back to Latin clericus, from Greek klērikos, meaning “of the lot” or “of the clergy,” because early church roles were tied to sacred appointment by lot.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
klēros
“a lot, share, or portion; later, one’s allotted office or inheritance”
Late Greek
Greek
klērikos
“belonging to the clergy; one assigned to a sacred office”
Late Latin
Latin
clericus
“a clergyman, churchman, or learned scribe”
Old French
Old French
clerc
“a cleric; later, a literate person or scribe”
Middle English
English
clerk
“a clergyman, then a scholar or scribe”
16th Century
English
clerkship
“the office, position, or role of a clerk”