Meaning

(rare) Political rule or sweeping social control exercised by a class of priests; a ruling class of priests..

Definitions by Sense

1. (rare) Political rule or sweeping social control exercised by a class of priests; a ruling class of priests.
2. (rare) Priests collectively or priests of a particular religious group or affiliation collectively.

Example Sentences

"They demolished," he says,"by the Word of God, the priestdom of the Pope and his lofty elevation."

The Spaniards have become callous by the long rule of despotism, and especially of priestdom.

The first step must be: "The removal of the important issue of the schools from the dark chambers of the state parliaments, especially from the Prussian bastion of Junkerdom and priestdom, into the bright light and the freer atmosphere of the Reichstag." [translation of SPD Protokoll über die Verhandlunge des Parteitags 1906]

Both Vivekandanda and Gandhi were witness to the hierarchical, rigid and decadent social system, a religiosity dominated by priestdom causing fragmentation of society into pieces and the subordination of women by men.

The Social Democracy will not recede; it will pursue it course and accomplish its design, even though all priestdom should rise against it, like a cloud of locusts thick enough to darken the sun.

[A] population unit somewhat larger than a nuclear family used these tombs. If it were twice as large and consisted of ten individuals, it might be identified as an extended family or perhaps a fraternal organization such as a priestdom or warrior elite.

Word Forms

• priestdoms

Related Words

When Should You Use Priestdom?

Use priestdom when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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