clergy

Where does the word "clergy" come from? It comes from Late Latin clericus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Clergy’s story begins in Late Latin: clericus meant “clergyman.” From Greek 'klēros', a lot or inheritance, since the clergy were God's portion. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as clergie. Meant learning, since clerics were the literate class. It reached English by 1200s as clergy. 'clerk' comes from the same word, for a literate person. Today, clergy means the body of people ordained for religious duties.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient clericus "clergyman", from Greek 'klēros', a lot or inheritance, since the clergy were God's portion.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval clergie "learning; the clergy", meant learning, since clerics were the literate class.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s clergy "ordained church officials", 'clerk' comes from the same word, for a literate person.