Webster's English Dictionary

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priest

priest \'pre-st\ \'pre--st*s\ n [ME preist, fr. OE pre-ost, modif. of LL 
   presbyter, fr. Gk] presbyteros elder, priest, compar. of presbys old man : 
   one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion esp. as a media 
   tory agent between man and God; specif : an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or 
   Roman Catholic clergyman ranking below a bishop and above a deacon - 
   priest.ess n