clerisy
clerisy · clerisies
An elite group of intellectualsAn elite group of intellectuals; learned people, the literati.
/ˈklɛɹɪsi/
Meaning
2 senses(countable, uncountable)An elite group of intellectuals; learned people, the literati.
2022: We invent ourselves as American writers—it's not a clerisy we’re born into... — Edward Hirsch, The Heart of American Poetry (Library of America, 2022)
(countable, uncountable)The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity.
More definitions
- an educated and intellectual elite
Origin
From Ancient Greek κλῆρος (klêros) + -isy. Introduced by Coleridge, based on German ClerisFrom Ancient Greek κλῆρος (klêros) + -isy. Introduced by Coleridge, based on German Clerisei (modern Klerisei), from Late Latin clēricus.
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Forms
plural: clerisiesSynonyms
1 synonymsClose in meaning
- an educated and intellectual elite:intelligentsia
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable