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-- Canonical letters, letters of several kinds, formerly given by a dishop to traveling clergymam or laymen, to show that they were entitled to receive the cammunion, and to distinguish them from heretics. -- Canonical life, the method or rule of living prescribed by the ancient cleargy who lived in community; a cou…

The dress prescribed by canon to be worn by a clergyman when oficiating. Sometimes, any distinctive professional dress. Full canonicals, the complete costume of an officiating clergyman or ecclesiastic.

A garment resembling a long frock coat worn by the clergy of certain churches when officiating, and by others as the usually outer garment.

life, esp. that of a bachelor, or of one bound by vows not to marry. "The celibacy of the clergy." Hallom.

That part of a church, reserved for the use of the clergy, where the altar, or communion table, is placed. Hence, in modern use;

A clergyman who is officially atteched to the army or navy, to some public institution, or to a family or court, for the purpose of performing divine service.

An assembly of monks, or of the prebends and other clergymen connected with a cathedral, conventual, or collegiate church, or of a diocese, usually presided over by the dean.

exhort with authority; to enjoin; to urge earnestly; as, to charge a jury; to charge the clergy of a diocese; to charge an agent. Moses . . . charged you to love the Lord your God. Josh. xxii. 5. Cromwell, I charge thee, fing away ambition. Shak.

Befitting a church or a churchman; becoming to a clergyman. Shak.

An ecclesiastic or clergyman.

Of or pertaining to the clergy; clerical; clerkily; learned. [Obs.] Milton.

A clerk, a clergyman. [R.] Bp. Horsley.

Of or pertaining to the clergy; suitable for the clergy. "A clerical education." Burke.

An excessive devotion to the interests of the sacerdotal order; undue influence of the clergy; sacerdotalism.

The state of being a clergyman.

The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity.

A clergyman or ecclesiastic. [Obs.] All persons were styled clerks that served in the church of Christ. Ayliffe.

The distinctive dress of any profession, especially of the clergy; hence, the clerical profession. Appeals were made to the priesthood. Would they tamely permit so gross an insult to be offered to their cloth Macaulay. The cloth, the clergy, are constituted for administering and for giving the best possible effect to .…

The presentation of a clergyman to a benefice by a bishop, who has it in his own gift.

Cause or subject of complaint or murmuring. The poverty of the clergy in England hath been the complaint of all who wish well to the church. Swift.