lay clerk

noun

1. lay vicar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lay clerk¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Alexis Hutchinson, 25, from Worcestershire, is a lay clerk - a professional choral singer.

From BBC

In 1756 a book on the subject was published at Worcester by Richard Lovett, a lay clerk at the cathedral, in which he records the treatment of a number of diseases with electricity.

From Nature

He had the bearing of a lay clerk of some precinct, a verger or sacristan; and after a fashion the dress of one also, for he was in dusty black and wore no sword, though he was girded with a belt.

From Project Gutenberg

The first lay clerk, a man qualified to talk with his enemies in the gate, gave monthly dances; the leading tenor assisted at scientific demonstrations.

From Project Gutenberg

Edwin expresses the truth about his uncle’s standing when he says: ‘I should have put in the foreground your being so much respected as Lay Precentor, or Lay Clerk, or whatever you call it, of this Cathedral; your enjoying the reputation of having done such wonders with the choir; your choosing your society, and holding such an independent position in this queer old place.’

From Project Gutenberg