cleric
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɫɛɹɪk// UK //klˈɛɹɪk// cler·ic
n. a person who works in a church or other religious organization, such as a priest, minister, or pastor.
n. a member of the clergy, especially a Christian priest or minister. Often used in formal or journalistic contexts to refer to religious leaders collectively.
The local cleric gave a speech about peace.
The community invited the cleric to lead the annual charity drive.
Historical records show that the cleric played a pivotal role in mediating disputes between the warring factions.
Borrowed from Late Latin clēricus, from Ancient Greek κληρικός (klērikós), from κλῆρος (klêros, “a casting lots, drawing lots”). Many officers at Athens obtained their offices by lot, as opposed to election (Liddell and Scott). Doublet of clerk.