benefit of clergy noun

Originally an exemption of clergymen, in certain cases, from criminal process before a secular judge, but later covering the first offence of all who could read

benefit of inventory noun (Scots law; historical)

An heir's privilege of securing himself or herself against unlimited liability for his or her ancestor, by producing within a year an inventory of his or her heritage or real estate, to the extent of which alone he or she was liable

benefit of the doubt noun

Presumption of innocence when culpability is uncertain

benefit society noun

A friendly society

benefit tourism noun

The practice of visiting a country in order to claim social security benefits without seeking work

benefit tourist noun

clergy /klûrˈji/

1. The ministers of the Christian or other religion collectively, as holders of an allotted office, opp to laity
2. Learning, education (archaic)

clerˈgyable or clerˈgiable adjective

Entitled to or admitting of the benefit of clergy

clerˈgyman noun

One of the clergy, a regularly ordained minister

clergyman's knee noun

Inflammation of the bursa above the bony prominence below the knee caused by prolonged kneeling

clergyman's sore throat noun

Chronic pharyngitis

clerˈgywoman noun

1. A woman who is a minister of religion
2. A woman belonging to a clergyman's family (facetious)

benefit of clergy see under benefit

black clergy

In Russia, all the regular or monastic, as distinct from the secular or parochial, clergy