The spelling of the word "priestly" is based on its pronunciation. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), it is represented as /ˈpriːstli/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound, as in "need," followed by the consonant cluster "st." The second syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, as in "hit," followed by the sound "lee." This word is often used to describe something related to a priest or the role of a priest.
Priestly is an adjective that pertains to or is characteristic of a priest, i.e., a religious leader or cleric who performs sacred rituals and administers religious rites in various religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism.
A priestly action or behavior is often associated with the duties, activities, or demeanor of a priest. It can refer to anything that relates to the role of a priest, such as conducting religious ceremonies, offering prayers or blessings, interpreting sacred texts, or providing spiritual guidance to adherents.
The term "priestly" can also describe an individual's attire, appearance, or mode of conduct that is connected to their religious office. For instance, a priestly robe may refer to the traditional clothing worn by priests during religious ceremonies. Additionally, it can encompass other attributes or qualities that are considered reverent, devoted, or associated with the sacred, reflecting the piety and devotion expected of a priest.
Furthermore, the word "priestly" can be extended metaphorically to signify a sense of solemnity, sanctity, or moral authority in a non-religious context. This may imply someone who possesses qualities resembling those of a priest, such as being honorable, solemn, or spiritually oriented. It can be used to describe an individual's behavior, character, or influence that exudes a sense of moral or ethical rectitude and dedication to higher principles.
Becoming a priest; sacerdotal; belonging to a priest.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "priestly" has its etymological roots in the Old English word "prēostlic", which meant "pertaining to a priest" or "characteristic of a priest". The term "prēostlic" is derived from "prēost", meaning "priest", and the suffix "-lic", which denotes "pertaining to" or "characteristic of". The Old English "prēost" itself derives from the Late Latin "presbyter" (elder or priest), which originated from the Greek "presbyteros" (elder).