anti-priest
|an-ti-priest|
/ˌæn.tiˈpriːst/
against priests
Etymology
'anti-priest' is a compound of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against, opposite') and 'priest' (from Old English 'preost').
'priest' comes from Old English 'preost', from Latin 'presbyter', from Greek 'presbyteros' meaning 'elder'; 'anti-' is from Greek 'anti-' (ἀντί) meaning 'against' and was attached in modern English to form compounds such as 'anti-clerical' and 'anti-priest'.
The elements originally meant 'against' (anti-) and 'elder/minister' (priest); combined in modern English the compound has the clear current meaning 'opposed to priests or the priesthood'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who opposes priests or the institution of the priesthood; an opponent of clerical authority.
She became known as an anti-priest after speaking out against clerical privileges.
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Adjective 1
opposed to priests or to the institution/authority of the priesthood (used before a noun or predicatively).
an anti-priest movement that sought to reduce church influence
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Last updated: 2025/11/16 06:16