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Glite Dictionary
priestlike

priestlike

7.5
Calm, serious, and respectful like a religious leader
  • adjective
  • /ˈpriːstlaɪk/
translation icon : sacerdotal
  • The teacher approached the students with a priestlike demeanor, offering wisdom and guidance.

Examples

  • I moreover cited that I was an alchemist and a mathematician, and as such, almost priestlike in my celibacy.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The priest pats her thigh in a most un-priestlike manner.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Monsieur Arthur dons a priestlike robe, and the couple enters into a ritual in praise of power.

    Academic text (1994)

  • He spoke with a priestlike authority that commanded everyone's respect.

  • In his priestlike robes, he led the ceremony with a calm and solemn presence.

Synonyms

priestly
vspriestlike
10 4.8

Relating to priests or their religious duties

describes personal qualities, manner, or appearance of a religious leader
sacerdotal
vspriestlike
  • Formal
1 9.9

About priests and their role in religion

describes personal qualities, manner, or appearance of a religious leader
hieratical
vspriestlike
9.9

About priests and their duties in religious ceremonies

describes personal qualities, manner, or appearance of a religious leader
hieratic
vspriestlike
  • Formal
9.9

About priests and their work

describes personal qualities, manner, or appearance of a religious leader

How Priestly

priestly
10 4.8
priestlike
7.5
clerical
11 6.1

Surface Forms

priestlike positive

Morphology

priestlike = priest (transparent) = priest + like

The adjective is formed by the productive English suffix '-like' meaning 'having the qualities of', so the meaning follows directly from 'priest'.

Etymology

Priestlike is made of priest, a church leader that comes from an old word meaning 'elder', and the ending -like, which means 'similar to'. So, priestlike means 'similar to a priest', calm, serious, and respectful.