simony

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si·mo·ny / ˈsīmənē; ˈsi-/ • n. chiefly hist. the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, for example pardons or benefices.DERIVATIVES: si·mo·ni·ac / sīˈmōnēˌak; si-/ adj. & n.si·mo·ni·a·cal / ˌsīməˈnīəkəl; si-/ adj.

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