| 释义 |
priestcraft|ˈpriːstkrɑːft, -æ-|
1. The ‘craft’ or business of a priest; the exercise of priestly functions. (Now only as an etymological nonce-use.)
1483Seill of Caus Edin. 2 May, MS. (Jam.), To the wpholde of devyne service at the said alter ouklie and daylie, and to the priestcraft at the alter as effeirs. 1900in Ch. Times 9 Mar. 267/2 ‘Craft’ means art, dexterity, skill... Priestcraft in a good sense simply means the diligent and able exercise of priestly functions.
2. Priestly craft, or policy; the arts used by ambitious and worldly priests to impose upon the multitude or further their own interests.
1681Dryden Abs. & Achit. i. 1 In pious times ere priest⁓craft did begin. 1700Toland Clito x, Religion's safe, with Priestcraft is the War. 1796Bp. Watson Apol. Bible (ed. 2) 197 The extreme folly, to which credulity and priestcraft can go. 1834Lytton Pompeii i. viii, I would preserve the delusions of priestcraft, for they are serviceable to the multitude. 1869L. Schmitz in Smith's Dict. Gr. & Rom. Antiq. 838/2 Freethinkers and unbelievers looked upon the [Delphic] oracle as a skilful contrivance of priestcraft which had then outgrown itself.
Hence ˈpriestcrafty a., characterized by priestcraft.
1846Worcester cites Ch. Ob. |