Priest

(prēst.) [From Gr. presbyteros, an elder.] According to the modern acceptation of the word, a person who is set apart or consecrated to the ministry of the Gospel. In its more general sense, the word includes all orders of the clergy duly licensed according to the forms and rules of each respective denomination of Christians; but Protestants are accustomed to apply the word more especially to clergymen of the Roman Catholic persuasion.- In the days of Moses, the office of priest was restricted to the tribe of Levi. The priesthood consisted of three orders, the high - priest, the priests, and the Levites; and the office was made hereditary in the family of Aaron.- Among pagans, priests were persons whose appropriate busine was to offer sacrifices and perform other sacred rites. [s. 731]