CLERICITY
Cler*ic"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state of being a clergyman.
CLERISY
Cler"i*sy, n. Etym: [LL. clericia. See Clergy.]
1. The literati, or well educated class.
2. The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity.
CLERK
Clerk (; in Eng. ; 277), n. Etym: [Either OF. clerc, fr. L. clericus
a priest, or AS. clerc, cleric, clerk, priest, fr. L. clericus, fr.
Gr. Clergy.]
1. A clergyman or ecclesiastic. [Obs.] All persons were styled clerks that served in the church of Christ. Ayliffe.
2. A man who could read; a scholar; a learned person; a man of letters. [Obs.] "Every one that could read . . . being accounted a clerk." Blackstone. He was no great clerk, but he was perfectly well versed in the interests of Europe. Burke.
3. A parish officer, being a layman who leads in reading the responses of the Episcopal church service, and otherwise assists in it. [Eng.] Hook. And like unlettered clerk still cry "Amen". Shak.
4. One employed to keep records or accounts; a scribe; an accountant; as, the clerk of a court; a town clerk. The clerk of the crown . . . withdrew the bill. Strype.