simony

American  

[sahy-muh-nee, sim-uh-] / ˈsaɪ mə ni, ˈsɪm ə- /

noun

1. the making of profit out of sacred things.

2. the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.

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simony British  

/ ˈsaɪmənɪ /

noun

1. 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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Other Word Forms

• simonist noun

Etymology

Origin of simony

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