priest

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priest clergyman in the second of the holy orders; (sacrificing) minister of religion. OE. prēost (with unexpl. ēo), corr. to OHG. priast, prēst; shortening of the form repr. by OFris. prēstere, OS., OHG. prēster (MDu., Du., MHG., G. priester) — ecclL. presbyter PRESBYTER, through pop. *prēster.
Hence priestess XVII. — (O)F. priesthood OE.

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