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simony
[ sahy-muh-nee, sim-uh- ]
noun
- the making of profit out of sacred things.
- the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.
simony
/ ˈsaɪmənɪ /
noun
- Christianity the practice, now usually regarded as a sin, of buying or selling spiritual or Church benefits such as pardons, relics, etc, or preferments
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Derived Forms
- ˈsimonist, noun
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Other Words From
- simon·ist noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of simony1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English simonie, from Late Latin simōnia; so called from Simon Magus, who tried to purchase apostolic powers; Simon ( def 5 ), -y 3
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Word History and Origins
Origin of simony1
C13: from Old French simonie, from Late Latin sīmōnia, from the name of Simon Magus
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Example Sentences
I should have told him that in my opinion his attitude was simony—rank simony, and let it go at that.
From Project Gutenberg
But simony, or the sale of ecclesiastical benefices, was a still more alarming evil to the mind of Gregory.
From Project Gutenberg
It was not merely simony; it was as to who should be the supreme master of Germany and Italy, the emperor or the pope.
From Project Gutenberg
But enough deeds of immorality, tyranny, ambition and simony were found proved to justify the severest judgment.
From Project Gutenberg
He could not understand the selling of livings in England, and asked if it was not simony.
From Project Gutenberg
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