/ ˈklɜːdʒi; NAmE ˈklɜːrdʒi/ (often the clergy ) noun
[ pl. ] the priests or ministers of a religion, especially of the Christian Church :
All the local clergy were asked to attend the ceremony.
The new proposals affect both clergy and laity.
—compare laity
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , based on ecclesiastical Latin clericus clergyman, from Greek klērikos belonging to the Christian clergy, from klēros lot, heritage (Acts 1:26).