† petty ordersn.Obsolete the minor orders in an ecclesiastical hierarchy, esp. the Roman Catholic hierarchy (see ordern. 2a).
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petty orders1728
minor orders1845
1728 E. ChambersCycl. at Orders The Petty, or Minor Orders, are four; viz. those of Porter, of Exorcist, of Reader, and of Acolythes. Those in Petty Orders may marry without any Dispensation.