Priests
priest (?), n. (OE. prest,preost, AS. preost, 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.)
1. (Christian Church) A presbyter
elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C.
Ch. but especially, one of the lowest order possessing
this power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng.
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.
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.
Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen
and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the
people.
Acts xiv. 13.
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.
f 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.
priest (?), v. t. To ordain aspriest.
|
