ecclesiastic
- noun
- /ɪˌklizɪˈæstɪk/
- Formal
:
eclesiástico
- She spoke with an ecclesiastic who offered guidance on matters of faith and spirituality.
Examples
-
Praise we hear for the shrewdness of a British ecclesiastic who purchased a flourishing brothel with sacerdotal funds.
Fiction book (1991) -
Fiammetta's fate is not at all atypical: at this time in Sicily, "it was said that there was an ecclesiastic in every family," and the instances of forcible cloistering must have exceeded by far the cases of true vocation.
Academic text (1995) -
The ecclesiastic led the Sunday service, delivering a moving sermon to the congregation.
-
The ecclesiastic was known for his dedication to community service and helping the less fortunate.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A person who leads religious ceremonies and worship in a church or temple
329
3.0
A religious leader who cares for and leads a Christian church, usually in Protestant churches
132
8.9
The leader of a religious order who looks after many communities
53
6.4
A religious leader who leads services and prayers in a church
15
4.7
A man who leads services and gives spiritual help in a church
12
9.1
A senior church leader who has authority over other clergy
5
8.1
A person who is a Christian priest or religious teacher
1
6.0
A man who leads or works in a Christian church
1
9.9
A senior Christian church leader under a bishop who manages part of a church district
1
9.3
A person who belongs to a religious order and lives by vows
1
9.6
A senior church leader in charge of several churches or a cathedral
A person who helps with church sacraments such as baptism or communion
A religious leader like a bishop who officially makes someone a priest or minister in a ceremony
How Senior
- Formal
239
3.2
31
7.2
210
3.9
- Formal
∞
1.0
31
7.4
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ecclesiastic comes from the Greek ekklesia, which means 'assembly' or 'church', and was used for people who served in that church group. So an ecclesiastic (noun) is a person who works for or leads the church.