ecclesiastic
|ec-cle-si-as-tic|
🇺🇸
/ɪˌklɛzɪˈæstɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɛklɪˈzæstɪk/
church officials
Etymology
'ecclesiastic' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'ecclesiasticus', which itself comes from Greek 'ekklesiastikos' formed from 'ekklesia' meaning 'assembly, church'.
'ecclesiasticus' from Late Latin passed into Medieval Latin and Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'ecclesiastic'), eventually becoming the modern English 'ecclesiastic'.
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to the assembly/church', and over time it evolved to mean more specifically 'relating to the church or its clergy' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of the clergy; a cleric or church official.
The ecclesiastic delivered the sermon at the cathedral.
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Noun 2
a person concerned with church affairs or church governance (often used in contexts referring to officials or dignitaries of the church).
Local ecclesiastics met to discuss changes to church policy.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/25 22:46