priest

n. [ OE. prest, preost, AS. preóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. &unr_; elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of &unr_; an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests. “The priests of Dagon.” 1 Sam. v. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people. Acts xiv. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Heb. v. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated priests. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To ordain as priest. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Fort.) A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also swallowtail. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the religious motives or credulity of others. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft than by violence. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Priests, collectively; the priesthood; -- so called in contempt. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who officiated in sacred rites among pagans. Abp. Potter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The office or character of a priest; the priestly function. Bk. of Com. Prayer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order of priests. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a priest. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the priesthood. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]