Simony

(sim'on-e.) [Fr. simoine. ] (Eccl. Law.) The illegal buying or selling ecclesiastical preferment; or the corrupt presentation of any one to a benefice for money or reward. The word is derived from the Simon Magus, the Chaldæan, who, according to the Acts of the Apostles, wished to buy of them the power of working miracles. [s. 828]