simony

views updated

simony XIII. — (O)F. simonie — late L. simōnia, f. name of Simon Magus in allusion to his offer of money to the Apostles Peter and John for the gift of conferring the Holy Ghost (Acts 8: 18, 19); see -Y2.
So simoniac XIV (sb.; adj. XVII). — (O)F. simoniaque or medL. simoniacus. simoniacal (-AL1) XVI.

More From encyclopedia.com