sacerdotal

[ sas-er-doht-l ]

adjective

1. of priests; priestly.

sacerdotal

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of priests

Derived Forms

• ˌsacerˈdotally, adverb

Other Words From

• sacer·dotal·ly adverb
• nonsac·er·dotal adjective
• nonsac·er·dotal·ly adverb
• super·sacer·dotal adjective
• super·sacer·dotal·ly adverb
• unsac·er·dotal adjective
• unsac·er·dotal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacerdotal¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin sacerdōtālis, equivalent to sacerdōt- (stem of sacerdōs ) priest + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacerdotal¹

C14: from Latin sacerdōtālis, from sacerdōs priest, from sacer sacred

Example Sentences

Diminution drains this office of the sacerdotal pomposities that have encrusted it.

From Washington Post

Actually, the sole benefit of Trump’s election would be in making the presidency’s sacerdotal role — the nation’s moral tutor — terminally ludicrous.

From Washington Post

In December 1984, Rev. Cardenal was expelled from the Jesuit order and was suspended from conducting sacerdotal duties until further notice.

From Washington Post

“The sacerdotal gun did not go off,” The Brooklyn Eagle reported.

From New York Times

Any serious collector will recognize this sacerdotal feeling — though I, being primarily a reader, prefer first editions I won’t be afraid to handle or even scribble in and make my own.

From Washington Post