Search the Dictionary

The plant privet. [Obs.] Tusser.

imp. & p. p. of Pry.

A kneeling desk for prayers.

Proof. [Obs.] Spenser. Lydgate.

One who pries; one who inquires narrowly and searches, or is inquisitive. So pragmatical a prier he is into divine secrets. Fuller.

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 t…

Controlled or oppressed by priests; as, a priest-ridden people. Swift.

A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also swallowtail.

Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the religious motives or credulity of others. It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft than by violence. Macaulay.…

Priests, collectively; the priesthood; -- so called in contempt. [R.] Milton.

A woman who officiated in sacred rites among pagans. Abp. Potter.

The office or character of a priest; the priestly function. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

The office of a priest. [Obs.] Milton.

The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the priesthood. [R.]

Without a priest. Pope.

Priestly. B. Jonson.

The quality or state of being priestly. R. Browning.

Of or pertaining to a priest or the priesthood; sacerdotal; befitting or becoming a priest; as, the priestly office; a priestly farewell. Shak.

To prove. [Obs. or Scot.]

A chief priest; also, a kind of vicar, or a rural dean.