priestly

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to priests, the priesthood, or their religious duties

   The ceremony required the elders to wear priestly robes.

2. 2
   adj

   resembling or considered appropriate to a priest

   He spoke with a calm, priestly solemnity.

From priest + -ly. Priest comes through Old English preost and Late Latin presbyter from Ancient Greek presbyteros ("elder"). The adjective has described both the office and its characteristic manner since Middle English.

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