high priestess

[ hahy pree-stis ]

noun

1. the female leader of a tribe, religion, or movement; a female high priest.

Word History and Origins

Origin of high priestess¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

By giving these archetypes the shape of animals, like “The Fool” as a duckling teetering on a twig, “The High Priestess” as a regal white tiger or “Justice” as two house cats — as opposed to the human characters of the classic Rider-Waite deck — Krans said she noticed her cards were helping people “get into the archetypes in a more universal, intuitive way.”

From Los Angeles Times

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of a high priestess, lit the flame in a dramatic ceremony in ancient Olympia, Greece, where the first Olympic games were held in 776 BC.

From BBC

Leading the group is an actress who performs the role of high priestess and makes a dramatic appeal to Apollo, the ancient god of the sun, for assistance moments before the torch is lit.

From Seattle Times

Ignatiou has been involved with the ceremony for 36 years, as priestess, high priestess, assistant and then head choreographer since 2008.

From Seattle Times

Tranter, 43, spent just one session with Rapp, Gen Z’s new high priestess, as she charted a course away from TV and musical theater and into confessional pop, making her debut album, “Snow Angel.”

From Seattle Times