ˈhedge-priest
[See hedge n. 8 a.]
An illiterate or uneducated priest of inferior status. (contemptuous.)
| 1550 J. Coke Eng. & Fr. Heralds §167 (1877) 107 In Fraunce..the most parte of your speritual men..be symple persons, hedge priestes not lerned. a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. ii. (Arb.) 136 Therefore did som of them at Cambrige..cause hedge priestes fette oute of the contrie to be made fellowes in the vniuersitie. a 1617 Bayne On Eph. (1658) 8 In times of superstition every hedge-priest's blessing was highly esteemed. 1874 Green Short Hist. iii. §1. 116 The whole body of the clergy, from Pope to hedge-priest. |