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priest

(prēst)

1. In many Christian churches, a member of the second grade of clergy ranking below a bishop but above a deacon and having authority to administer the sacraments.

2. A person having the authority to perform and administer religious rites.

tr.v. priest·ed, priest·ing, priests

To ordain or admit to the priesthood.

[Middle English prest, from Old English prēost, from Late Latin presbyter; see PRESBYTER.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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