Priest
/priːst/noun
A person authorized to perform religious rites and ceremonies.
Did you know?The word 'priest' comes from the Greek 'presbyteros', meaning 'elder', signifying a mystical connection to wisdom and authority in ancient rituals.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*preys-
“to ask or pray”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros)
“an elder or older person, often with authority in religious contexts”
Latin
Latin
sacerdos
“a priest or one who offers sacrifices”
Old English
Old English
preost
“a religious leader or one who serves in a sacred capacity”
14th Century
Middle English
preest
“an ordained minister of the Christian church”
Modern English
English
priest
“a person authorized to perform sacred rites in various religious traditions”