n. [ OE. clergie, clergi, clerge, OF. clergie, F. clergie (fr. clerc clerc, fr. L. clericus priest) confused with OF. clergié, F. clergé, fr. LL. clericatus office of priest, monastic life, fr. L. clericus priest, LL. scholar, clerc. Both the Old French words meant clergy, in sense 1, the former having also sense 2. See Clerk. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Sophictry . . . rhetoric, and other cleargy. Guy of Warwick. [ 1913 Webster ]
Put their second sons to learn some clergy. State Papers (1515). [ 1913 Webster ]
If convicted of a clergyable felony, he is entitled equally to his clergy after as before conviction. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]
Benefit of clergy (Eng., Law),
Regular clergy,
Secular clergy
a. Entitled to, or admitting, the benefit of clergy;
n.;