US /ˈpristəs/ UK /ˈpriːstəs/
noun Freq #17640

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a woman who performs priestly rites or holds the office of priest in a religion

    The priestess led the ceremony and interpreted the oracle's response.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a woman who performs... female priest
Word family
Forms priestesses
Derived forms priestesshoodpriestessly
Related forms priestclergyoracleritual

Etymology

Formed from priest + the feminine suffix -ess, with a related Middle English form presteresse. The word has long been used especially for women serving in ancient or non-Christian religious traditions.

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