ecclesiastic

[ ih-klee-zee-as-tik ]

noun

1. a member of the clergy or other person in religious orders.
2. a member of the ecclesia in ancient Athens.

adjective

1. ecclesiastical.

ecclesiastic

/ ɪˌkliːzɪˈæstɪk /

noun

1. a clergyman or other person in holy orders

adjective

1. of or associated with the Christian Church or clergy

Other Words From

• anti·ec·clesi·astic noun adjective
• nonec·clesi·astic adjective noun
• unec·clesi·astic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecclesiastic¹

1475–85; < Late Latin ecclēsiasticus < Greek ekklēsiastikós. See Ecclesiastes, -ic

Example Sentences

“Assuming our right to decide and dissent with the ecclesiastic hierarchy allows us, as Catholics who embrace our faith, to make decisions in freedom and choose our own life project,” said activist Maribel Luna.

From Washington Times

“Assuming our right to decide and dissent with the ecclesiastic hierarchy allows us, as Catholics who embrace our faith, to make decisions in freedom and choose our own life project,” said activist Maribel Luna.

From Seattle Times

Moore recounted how an agent codenamed Ecclesiastic, who penetrated German intelligence for MI6 in 1944, was looked after by the service until her death, aged 100.

From Washington Times

In November, Francis fired Caritas secretary-general Aloysius John, its president, Filipino Cardinal Antonio Tagle; Tagle’s vice presidents, the treasurer and ecclesiastic assistant after an outside investigation found “real deficiencies” in management that had affected staff morale at the Caritas secretariat in Rome.

From Seattle Times

In an extraordinary display of papal power, Francis last November fired the Caritas secretary general, Aloysius John; the Caritas president, Filipino Cardinal Antonio Tagle; and Tagle’s vice presidents, the treasurer and ecclesiastic assistant.

From Seattle Times