Where does “cleric” come from?
Cleric comes from Late Latin clericus, from Ancient Greek κληρικός, derived from Ancient Greek κλῆρος meaning lot or inheritance, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots kald- and kola-.
cleric (English): A clergy member
Definitions
- A clergy member
Ancestry of “cleric”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | clēricus | a priest, clergyman or clergywoman, cleric |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | κληρικός | of or pertaining to clergy; clerical; clergyman |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -ικός | of or pertaining to, in the manner of; -ic |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -κός | forms adjectives with the sense of 'of or... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -ḱos | -y, -ic |