sacerdotal

American  

[sas-er-doht-l] / ˌsæs ərˈdoʊt l /

adjective

1. of priests; priestly.

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sacerdotal British  

/ ˌsæsəˈdəʊtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of priests

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Other Word Forms

• nonsacerdotal adjective
• nonsacerdotally adverb
• sacerdotally adverb
• supersacerdotal adjective
• supersacerdotally adverb
• unsacerdotal adjective
• unsacerdotally adverb

Etymology

Origin of sacerdotal

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

Explanation

Something holy or sacred, especially if it's related to priests, is sacerdotal. Some sacerdotal duties might include celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. The religious adjective sacerdotal goes back to the Latin sacerdos, "offerer of sacrifices" or "priest." It's sometimes used to mean "sacred," and the two words share a root meaning "to sanctify," but it usually applies directly to priests. You might refer to the sacerdotal garments priests wear, the sacerdotal rites they perform, or the sacerdotal authority they hold within the church.

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2016

Early sacerdotal portraits of this kind are seldom seen in the West, because most of the surviving ones remain in their temples and are the most sacred of cult objects.

From Time Magazine Archive

That sacerdotal view has altered in recent years.

From Washington Post

Such were the sacerdotal vestments of the initiate "collegian."

From Time Magazine Archive

But a consecrated falsehood—whether sacerdotal, political, or social—is some day smitten, as the giant of old, in the forehead, and falls headlong.

From A Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed. by Bartlett, William Chauncey