Priesthood
/ˈpriːst.hʊd/noun
The office, rank, or collective body of priests.
Did you know?The first element ultimately comes from Greek presbyteros, meaning “older” or “elder,” so the word’s deepest roots are about age, status, and communal authority rather than magic itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to be first, forward, or before”
Ancient Greek
Greek
presbyteros
“older, elder”
Late Latin
Latin
presbyter
“elder, priest”
Old English
English
prēost
“priest”
Old English
English
-hād
“state, rank, condition”
Middle English
English
priesthod
“the office or rank of a priest”
Modern English
English
priesthood
“the office, body, or status of priests”
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