DictionaryRoot: presbyteros
Greek

presbyteros

elder, older

1 / 1
A Catholic priest celebrates the Eucharist, raising a communion host above a chalice at a simple altar.
noun

priest

PREEST/priːst/

A religious leader authorized to perform sacred rites.

Etymology

The 'elder' became a title for a church minister, so the word named a sacred office rather than simply an older person. Its use also broadened to religious leaders outside Christianity.

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