priestcraft

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence to control secular or political affairs
noun the skills involved in the work of a priest

From Middle English priestcraft; equivalent to priest + -craft.

*Priestcraft n. s. [priest and craft.] — Pamphlets and Parodies on Political Subjects, William Hone
He denounced priestcraft, the philosopher of Middlesex. — A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce
They have their faults, and are peculiarly liable to those of hypocrisy, and spiritual ambition, and priestcraft. — The Journal of Sir Walter Scott: From the Original Manuscript at Abbotsford, Walter Scott

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

From: —

Output

Worksheet Type (multi-select)

Scope

Difficulty

Max questions

0 words Min 50 words / Max 2,000 words