In Roman law. A minister of religion in the Christian church; an ecclesiastic or priest. Cod. 1, 3; Nov. 3, 123, 137. A general term, including bishops, priests, deacons, and others of Inferior order. Brissonius. In old English law . A clerk or priest; a person In holy orders ; a secular priest; a clerk of a court. An officer of the royal household, having charge of the receipt and payment of moneys, etc. Fleta enumerates several of them, with their appropriate duties; as clericus coquinw, clerk of the kitchen; clericus paiietr’ et butelr’, clerk of the pantry and buttery. Lib. 2, cc. 18, 19.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
