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Ecclesiastic: meaning, definitions and examples

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ecclesiastic

 

[ ɪˌklɪziˈæstɪk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious authority

An ecclesiastic is a member of the clergy or a religious order, typically within the Christian church. This term encompasses various roles, including bishops, priests, and ministers, who are involved in church services, administration, and religious education. Ecclesiastics play significant roles in spiritual leadership and community guidance, often interpreting scriptures and ensuring adherence to church doctrines.

Synonyms

bishop, clergyman, minister, priest

Examples of usage

  • The ecclesiastic delivered a powerful sermon at the Sunday service.
  • Several ecclesiastics gathered to discuss the new church policies.
  • She felt called to become an ecclesiastic and serve her community.

Translations

Translations of the word "ecclesiastic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 eclesiástico

🇮🇳 पादरी संबंधित

🇩🇪 kirchlich

🇮🇩 gerejawi

🇺🇦 церковний

🇵🇱 kościelny

🇯🇵 教会の

🇫🇷 ecclésiastique

🇪🇸 eclesiástico

🇹🇷 kilise ile ilgili

🇰🇷 교회의

🇸🇦 كنسي

🇨🇿 církevní

🇸🇰 cirkevný

🇨🇳 教会的

🇸🇮 cerkveni

🇮🇸 kirkjulegur

🇰🇿 шіркеу жатады

🇬🇪 ეკლესიური

🇦🇿 kilsə ilə bağlı

🇲🇽 eclesiástico

Etymology

The word 'ecclesiastic' originates from the Greek word 'ekklesiastikos', which means 'of or belonging to a church'. This, in turn, derives from 'ekklēsia', meaning 'assembly' or 'church', which was a term used in ancient Athens to refer to the assembly of citizens. The term made its way into Latin as 'ecclesiasticus', before entering Middle English as 'ecclesiastic'. Over centuries, it has maintained its association with the Christian church and its clergy. Ecclesiastics were historically crucial during the medieval period when the church held immense power, influencing all aspects of life, from governance to education. The use of the term reflects not just the role of individual clergy but also emphasizes the institutional aspect of the church as a governing body in religious matters.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,588, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.