Priest (?), v. t. To ordain as priest.
Priest (?), n. [OE.
prest, preost, AS.
preóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. &?; elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of &?; an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter.]
1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C.
Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who
is authorized to consecrate the host and
to say Mass;
but especially, one of the
lowest order possessing this
power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot.
Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is
authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation.
2. One who officiates at the altar, or
performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any
form of religion; as, Buddhist priests. "The priests of Dagon." 1 Sam. v. 5.
Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Acts xiv. 13.
Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for
sins.
Heb. v. 1. &fist; In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is
designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated
priests.
Hear it pronounced