antisacerdotal
|an-ti-sa-cer-do-tal|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.səˈsɜr.də.təl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.səˈsɜː.də.təl/
against priestly authority
Etymology
'antisacerdotal' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' combined with Latin-derived 'sacerdotal' (from Latin 'sacerdotālis' / 'sacerdos') where 'sacerdos' meant 'priest'.
'sacerdos' (Latin) → 'sacerdotālis' (Late Latin) → 'sacerdotal' (English) ; 'antisacerdotal' was formed in English by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'sacerdotal'.
Initially formed to mean 'against priests or the sacerdotal system'; over time it has retained that central sense of opposition to priestly authority or sacerdotal influence.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to sacerdotalism or to the authority, privileges, or influence of priests; hostile to priestly power or the clerical order.
The politician's antisacerdotal remarks challenged the traditional influence of the clergy in public affairs.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/09 10:20