n. pl. cler·gies The body of people ordained or recognized by a religious community as ritual or spiritual leaders. See Usage Note at collective noun. [Middle English clergie, from Old French (from Vulgar Latin *clercīa, from Late Latin clēricus; see CLERK) and from Old French clergié, body of clerks (from Vulgar Latin *clercātus, from Late Latin clēricātus, from clēricus, clerk, cleric).] |
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