- Priest
- Priest Priest, n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. pre['o]st, fr. L.
presbyter, Gr. ? elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of ? 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]
Note: 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.