clerk

▪ I. clerk, n.
    (klɑːk, klɜːk)
    Forms: 1 clerec, (cliroc), 1–3 cleric, 1–7 clerc, 3 clærc, (gen. pl. 2–3 clerkene, 4 clerken), 3–7 clerke, 4 klerk, 5–6 clerck(e, 5–7 clarke, 5–8 clark, 6 clarcke, 6–7 cleark(e, 4– clerk.
    [OE. had cleric, clerec, clerc, immed. from Latin; the last of these forms coincided with OF. clerc:—Romanic type *clerco:—L. clēric-us, -um (cf. Pr. clerc, clergue, clerge, Sp. clerigo, It. chierico): see cleric. The original sense was ‘man in a religious order, cleric, clergyman’. As the scholarship of the Middle Ages was practically limited to the clergy, and these performed all the writing, notarial, and secretarial work of the time, the name ‘clerk’ came to be equivalent to ‘scholar’, and specially applicable to a notary, secretary, recorder, accountant, or penman. The last has now come to be the ordinary sense, all the others being either archaic, historical, formal, or contextual.
    The pronunciation (klɑːk) is evidenced in the south of England from the 15th c.; cf. bark, hark, dark, etc., from earlier -er; also serjeant, hearth, Cherwell, Hertford, and the 15–17th c. clargy. The dialects, esp. the northern, have retained the e, as Sc. (klɛrk, klerk). In U.S. the pronunciation is (klɜːk); ‘of late this has become somewhat frequent in London and its neighbourhood’ (N.E.D.).]
    1. A man ordained to the ministry or service of the Christian Church; a churchman, clergyman, or ecclesiastic. (For greater distinction, cleric is now often substituted.) a. Before the Reformation, and in the R.C. Church, a member of any of the eight orders (though sometimes excluding the bishop). Hence, the distinction, clerk in holy orders, clerk in minor orders: see quot. 1844.

c 1050 O.E. Vocab. in Wr.-Wülcker 308 Clericus, preost oððe cleric. 1129 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.), Se oðer het Gregorius; he wæs clerc. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 472 That no bissop, ne clerc nathemo, Ne solde withoute kinges leue out of this lond go. Ibid. 496 Alle clerkene lefmen in prisoun the king brouȝte. c 1315 Shoreham Poems 53 Clerke hys to segge, an Englysch, Eyr of Godes werke. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. iv. 119 Til clerken coueitise be to clothe þe pore and to fede. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. iv. (1520) 32/2 He decreed that Clerkes sholde were no berdes nor longe heere. 1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 32 The Clarkes of the Church of Winchester did choose him for their Bishop. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. (1617) 186 Services, Offices, and Orders ecclesiastical, the first of which three and in part the second may be executed by the laity, whereas none have or can have the third but the clergy. Catechists, Exorcists, Readers, Singers, and the rest of like sort..may in that respect seem clergymen, even as the Fathers for that cause term them usually Clerks. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World ii. 487 Torniellus is a regular Clerk of the congregation of St. Paul. 1661 Bramhall Just Vind. iv. 61 Wilfride was an Arch-Bishop, not an inferiour clerk. 1844 Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858) II. xii. 230 The clergy were divided into two classes, one of inferior clerks in minor orders, and employed as lectors, cantors, acolythists, exorcists, and doorkeepers, and the other of clerks in holy orders, deacons, and mass-thanes, whose office it was to minister at the altar and offer the sacrifice.

    b. Since the Reformation, in England generally = ‘clerk in holy orders’, i.e. a deacon, priest, or bishop. Now chiefly a legal or formal designation.

1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades (1592) Pref., They zealously withstand the couetousness of Patrones, in reiecting their vnsufficient Clearkes. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxxi. §2 The placing of one clerk in two churches. 1642 Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647) 365 The Bishop, or his Clerks. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 184 In the general Acceptation of the Word, all Persons were stiled Clerks, that served in the Church of Christ; whether they were Bishops, Priests, or Deacons. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 424 A living..became vacant. Hough and his ejected brethren assembled and presented a clerk. 1858 Ld. St. Leonards Handy-bk. Property Law xxv. 187 No advowson can be recovered by any person after three clerks in succession have held the same adversely if the times..amount to 60 years.

    c. regular clerk, secular clerk: see regular A. 1 a, secular A. 1 a.
    2. a. Before the Reformation, sometimes applied esp. to members of the five ‘minor orders’ as distinct from the higher or ‘holy orders’.

c 975 Laws Edgar C. 4 (Bosw.) We læraþ ðæt preosta ᵹehwilc to sinoþe hæbbe his cleric. a 1300 Cursor M. 12897 (Gött.) Selcuth it was..Þe klerk for to baptiz þe preist. 1486 Bk. St. Alban's D iiij a, A spare hawke, and he is an hawke for a prest..A Mufkyte, and he is for an holiwater clerke. 1537 Will of H. Monmouth in Strype Eccl. Mem. I. App. xc. 251 Item, I wyl have no mo Preestes and Clerks at my funeral mass than do serve dayly in our parysh church.

    b. Hence, since the Reformation, applied to laymen who perform such of these offices as are retained in cathedrals, churches, or chapels. In the Prayer-book of 1549 the clerks were the choir men; in later times, the clerk, or parish clerk, is the lay officer of a parish church, who has charge of the church and precincts, and assists the clergyman in various parts of his duties, e.g. by leading the people in responses, assisting at baptisms, marriages, etc. In other senses, usually with some distinctive epithet, as Bible clerk, a scholar who reads the Scripture lessons in some ancient college chapels; lay clerk, a singing man in some cathedrals and college chapels; singing clerk, etc.

1549 (March) Bk. Com. Prayer 122 b, The Clearkes and people shall aunswere. Ibid. Commun. Serv., Where there be Clerks, they shall sing one or many of the sentences above written. 1564 in Strype Ann. Ref. I. xli. 463 To every parish belongeth I. A parson, or vicar, or both, or a curate under him. II. A clerk, to read, write, sing, and say. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. iv. 94 To th' Church, take the Priest, Clarke, and some sufficient honest witnesses. 1710 Hearne Collect. III. 82 To go to the Clark of Ferry-Hinksey for y⊇ Parish Register. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 409 The true Original of those we now call Parish Clerks..at first intended as Clerks-Assistant to him that had the Cure. 1727 Swift Country Post, The deceased wife of the singing-clerk of this place. a 1800 Cowper Names of little Note 14 There goes the parson, oh! illustrious spark, And there, scarce less illustrious, goes the clerk! 1850 Lyell 2nd Visit. U.S. II. 86 There was no clerk, the Bishop read the responses and gave out the psalms, seeming to us, at first to be performing the office of clerk. 1879 Mrs. Oliphant Within Precincts xviii, He..had been a chorister and had progressed into a lay clerk. 1886 Oxf. Univ. Calendar 169 New College (Chapel): Organist, Schoolmaster, Lay-clerks, Choristers. Ibid. 189 Magdalen Coll.: Organist, Clerks, Choristers. Ibid. 219 Christ Ch.: Organist, Singing men, Choristers. 1889 Oxford Directory, All Souls College..provision for a warden, fifty fellows, two chaplains, and four bible clerks.

    † 3. clerk attaint, clerk convict: see quots. Obs.

1622 Bacon Hen. VII Wks. (Bohn) 354 The king began..to pare a little the privilege of clergy, ordaining that clerks convict should be burned in the hand. a 1626 ― Max. & Uses Com. Law 39 A man found guilty of felony..and praying his clergy, and thereupon reading as a clerke..is called a clerk convict. 1641 Termes de la Ley 62 Clerk attaint is he, which prayeth his Clergie after judgement given upon him of the felonie, and hath his Clergie allowed. Ibid., Clerke convict is hee, which prayeth his Clergie before judgement given upon him of the Felonie, and hath his Clergie to him granted.

    4. a. A man (or woman) of book learning, one able to read and write; a scholar. (Now a historical archaism.)

c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 7 Alse þe wise clerc seide on his boc. a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxvi. 11 All þe clerkis in erth may noght ymagyn it. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 285 A Clerk ther was of Oxenford also That vn to logyk hadde longe ygo. 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. (1858) 132 In these dayes regned in Inglond Herry the First, whech was named Herry Clerk. 1470–85 Malory Arthur i. ii. (1889) 38 The thyrd syster Morgan le fey..lerned so moche that she was a grete Clerke of Nygromancye. 1490 Caxton Eneydos 1 That noble poete and grete clerke vyrgyle. 1533 Wriothesley Chron. I. (1875) 22 A great clearke in the Greeke and Latten tonge. 1623 Lisle ælfric on O. & N.T. Pref. 6 Joseph Scaliger, one of the greatest Clarkes of our age. 1702 Pope Jan. & May 109 As subtle clerks by many schools are made. 1796 Burke Let. Noble Ld. Wks. VIII. 70 He was no great clerk, but he was perfectly well versed in the interests of Europe. 1805 Scott Last Minstr. i. xi, Her father was a clerk of fame. 1882 Freeman Reign Will. Rufus II. vii. 455 Henry the Clerk..must rank before all other kings as the refounder of the English nation.

    † b. A pupil, scholar. Obs.

c 1340 Cursor M. 29401 (Cott. Galba), A maister of lare may bete a clerk bot noght ouer sare. 1475 Bk. Noblesse 53 The said maister..meoved his clerkis to desport bethout the cite in the feeldis. 1481 Caxton Myrr. iii. xii. 159 After cam Plato the sage..And his clerke named Aristotle.

    † 5. In early times, when writing was not an ordinary accomplishment of the laity, the offices of writer, scribe, secretary, keeper of accounts, and the transaction of all business involving writing, were discharged by clerks (in sense 1, identical with 4).

1085 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.), Hi wæron ealle þæs cynges clerecas. c 1300 Beket 2135 (2123) Edward Grim, that was his clerc..To helpe his louerd, if he miȝte, his arm pulte bifore. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. Prol. 91 I sauh þer Bisschops Bolde..Bi-coome Clerkes of A-Counte, þe kyng for to seruen. 1377 Ibid. B. xiii. 247 Hadde iche a clerke þat couthe write. c 1400 Mandeville xix. 218 Under the Emperoures table, sitten 4 Clerkes, that writen alle, that the Emperour seythe. 1450 Merlin xxvi. (1877) 483 Than were ther chosen foure clerkes to write the a-ventures as thei fill. a 1555 Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 38 But our spiritualty, what do they?..some be clerks of the kitchen.

    6. Hence, in current use: a. The officer who has charge of the records, correspondence, and accounts of any department, court, corporation, or society, and superintends the general conduct of its business; as Clerk of the Kitchen, Clerk to the Schoolboard, Town-clerk, etc.

1526 Tindale Acts xix. 35 When the toune clarcke had ceased the people. 1536 in Thynne's Animadv. Introd. 28 William Thynne, clerc comptroller of the kinges honorable housholde. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 753 The clearke general of the armie. 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 538 Clarke of the Spicery to King Henry the eight. a 1667 Cowley Liberty Wks. (1710) II. 680 His Clerk of the Kitchen, or his Cook. 1679–88 Secr. Serv. Money Chas. & Jas. (1851) 111 Late clerk of the robes to King Chas. II. 1712 Lond. Gaz. No. 5016/3 All the Horses..must be shewn..before the Clerk of the Race.

    b. One employed in a subordinate position in a public or private office, shop, warehouse, etc., to make written entries, keep accounts, make fair copies of documents, do the mechanical work of correspondence and similar ‘clerkly’ work.

1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 6 Pream., The said Collectours and Comptrollers and theire Clerkes. 1565–78 Cooper Thesaur., Scriptum iacere, to be a secreitarie or clarke. 1573–80 Baret Alvearie, A Clerke or secretarie alwayes attending, a scribe, Amanuensis. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. v. i. 181 My Lord Bassanio gaue his Ring away Vnto the Iudge..and then the Boy his Clearke..begg'd mine. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xi. (1843) 693/1 Harrisson..had been bred up in the place of a Clerk, under a Lawyer. 1702 Lond. Gaz. No. 3865/4 Writing a tolerable Clerk's-Hand. 1771 Franklin Autobiog. Wks. 1840 I. 64 He proposed to take me over as his clerk. c 1865 J. Wylde in Circ. Sc. I. 261/1 The telegraph clerk gradually acquires a proficiency. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 268 Some banks employ as many as six clerks. Mod. The Warehousemen and Clerks' School.

    c. Specific applications and offices:—
    Clerk of Assize: an officer who records judicial decisions given by judges on circuit. † Clerk of the Chamber: a private secretary. Clerk of the Cheque (see check n. 8): also, ‘an officer in royal dockyards who goes on board to muster the ship's company, thereby to check false musters’. Clinical Clerk: see clinical. † Clerk of the Closet: an ecclesiastic privately attending upon a monarch, a royal confessor. clerk of the course, an official on a race-course (see quots. 1920, 1952); also applied to a similar official in other sports. Clerk of the Crown: an officer of the Chancery department, who issues writs of summons to peers in the House of Lords, and writs of election for members of the House of Commons, etc.; also an official who frames and reads indictments against public offenders. Clerk of the Essoins, Estreats, Greencloth, Hanaper (see these words). Clerk of the Market: † a royal officer attending at fairs and markets, to keep the standard of weights and measures, and punish misdemeanours therein; also an officer appointed by city or town corporations, to collect market dues, and inspect the market. † Clerk of the Nihils: (see nihil). † St. Nicholas' clerk: a highwayman, thief. Clerk of the Peace: an officer who prepares indictments and keeps a record of proceedings at sessions of the peace. † Clerk of the Pells, Pipe: (see these words). † Clerk of the Petty Bag: an officer in Chancery who had many minor duties, such as making out the patents of customers, gaugers, alnagers, issuing the congé d'élire for bishops, issuing writs of summons to Parliament, etc., most of which have now passed to the Clerk of the Crown. Clerk of Session: a title given to the clerks of the Court of Session. Clerk of the Signet: formerly, a clerk in attendance on the royal secretary, in charge of the privy signet for sealing private letters; also used as synonymous with Writer to the signet. Clerk of Supply (Scotland): Clerk to the Commissioners of Supply or county assessors. Clerk of the Weather (Office): an imaginary functionary humorously supposed to control the state of the weather. Clerk of the Works: an officer who superintends the erection of buildings, etc., to secure the proper quality of materials and execution of the work.

1670 Cotton Espernon ii. vii. 317 He there obtain'd the Office of *Clerk of the Chamber. 1771 Gray Corr. w. Nicholls (1843) 127 Philippa of Hainault appointed him clerk of her chamber.

1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1789), *Clerk of the Check..keeps a muster or register of all the men employed aboard his Majesty's ships and vessels, and also of the artificers and others in the service of the navy at the port where he is settled. 1833 Marryat P. Simple xli, To request my commission to be forwarded to the clerk of the cheque at Plymouth.

1530 Palsgr. 206/1 *Clerke of the closet, clerc de chappelle. 1716 Bp. Kennett in Ellis Orig. Lett. ii. 423 IV. 298 His Majesty will be attended by three clergymen, Dr. Torriano as deputy clerk of the closet.

1829 P. Egan Boxiana 2nd Ser. II. 34 Mr. Atkins, the *Clerk of the Course, who had the care of the Stand, was particularly attentive. 1835 Dyott Diary (1907) II. 193 A meeting of the trustees of the racing fund at Lichfield..for the purpose of removing Mr. Henry Cato from the situation of clerk of the course. 1920 Webster, Clerk of the course, one who acts as secretary to the board of judges of races or track athletics. 1952 Racing Review Ann. 219/1 The rules of racing lay down that the clerk of the course is responsible for the general arrangements of the meeting. 1961 Radio Times 14 Sept. 30/4 Behind the scenes at an international motor race to hear more about this exciting sport from top racing drivers..[and] Clerk of the Course John Morgan.

1681 Trial S. Colledge 2 *Clerk of the Crown. Gaoler, have you your Prisoner.

1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) 185 *Clarke of the market for the tyme beynge. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. xvii. 114 God is the principall clark of the market, all the weights of the bag are his work. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 272 The court of the clerk of the market is incident to every fair and market in the kingdom, to punish misdemesnors therein. 1887 Oxford P. O. Directory 175 Clerks of the Market, Rev. R. Faussett, M.A., and Rev. O. Ogle; Deputy Clerk, Mr. W. Sims.

1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, ii. i. 68 If they meete not with *S. Nicholas Clarks. 1611 Cotgr, Espieur des chemins, a purse-taker..one of S. Nicholas Clerkes.

1689 Col. Rec. Penn. I. 318 That Sheriffs and *Clarks of y⊇ peace Impose not vpon y⊇ people. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 269 To him [the lord lieutenant] the nomination of the clerk of the peace belongs.

1845 Polson in Encycl. Metrop. 852/1 Advocates or principal *clerks of session.

1546 Supplic. Commons in Four Supplic. (1871) 78 The *clerke of his signet..vsed to cary his masters ryng in his mouth. 1837 Lockhart Scott (1839) I. 252 The old clerk of the signet was very joyous.

1889 Glasgow Even. Citizen 9 Sept. 1/7 Valuation Appeal Courts..By order, W. Alston Dykes, *Clerk of Supply.

1831 B. Hall Fragm. Voy. & Trav. III. 296 Owing to their interest with the *clerk of the weather office. 1835 [see weather n. 2 h]. 1843 J. F. Murray World of London II. 29 If the clerk of the weather office is determined to put a damper on the festivities. 1883 M. E. Braddon Gold. Calf vi. 52 It was usually a brilliant day. The clerk of the weather appeared favourably disposed.

1663 Gerbier Counsel (1664) 18 A *Clark of the Works must be vers'd in the prizes of materials, and the rates of all things belonging to the building. 1851 Ord. & Regul. R. Engineers §17. 70 Clerk of Works in the Engineer Department.

    d. A shop-assistant. N. Amer.

a 1790 Franklin Autobiogr. (1848) 85 He propos'd to take me over as his clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy his letters, and attend the store. 1835 H. C. Todd Notes Canada & U.S. 10 Shop-men, who are here and in Canada also, universally called clerks. 1844 ‘Jon. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. 63, I..went to the tailor's store... ‘Have you got any first rate superfine broadcloth coats and trousers to sell here?’ sez I... ‘Yes,’ sez one of the clerks. 1903 W. E. Curtis True Abraham Lincoln 33 He..became a clerk in the store..measuring calico, weighing sugar and nails.

    e. In hotels, an employee who registers guests and attends to their comfort. U.S.

1879 R. J. Burdette Hawk-Eyes 62 Abou Tamerlik came to the city of Bagdad..and, as he registered, spake cheerfully unto the clerk. 1892 J. C. Duval Young Explorers 198 A little while afterwards the clerk came up to my room and asked if I wished for supper. 1947 E. W. Barkins Dr. has Baby 180 We followed the clerk to our room, followed in turn by the bellhop with our bags.

    7. attrib. and Comb., clerk-ale, an ale-drinking for the benefit of the parish clerk; also, the ale then provided; clerk-learning, book-learning, scholarship; † clerk-play, a dramatic representation of a religious subject by the clergy; clerk-register (lord register), a Scottish officer of state having custody of the archives; clerk-roll, clerk-sitter: see quots.

1627 in Heylin Laud iv. (1671) 256 (D.) For suppressing all revels, Church-ales, *Clerk-ales which had been used upon that day. 1733 Neal Hist. Purit. II. 248 Clerk Ales..were for the better maintenance of the Parish Clerk. 1791 J. Lackington Mem. iii. (D.), Some..frolicsome fellows being one Easter Sunday morning at the clerk's house..drinking (as it is called) clerk's-ale.

1866 Kingsley Herew. I. i. 61 Thou..hast had *clerk-learning in thy time.

a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 138 In thee wold have bein at ane vane *Clerk play two or three thowsand people. 1575 Act Gen. Assembly Ch. Scotl. (Jam.), The playing of Clerk-playis, comedies or tragedies upon the canonical parts of the Scripture, induceth and bringeth in with it a contempt and profanation of the same. 1588 Sir R. Maitland Quenis Maryage (Jam.), Everilk man yow prayis To maik bain⁓fyris, fairseis, and clerk-playis.

1705 Lond. Gaz. No. 4139/1 A Commission to Sir James Murray to be *Clerk-Register. 1716 Ibid. No. 5449/3 His Grace the Duke of Montrose, to be Lord Clerk-Register of North-Britain.

a 1618 Raleigh in Gutch Coll. Cur. I. 56 The Constable of England used to send a bill or *clerk-roll unto the Marshal.

1766 Entick London IV. 47 Four *clerk-sitters, who enter actions, take bails, receive verdicts after trials, etc.

▪ II. clerk, v. colloq.
    Also 8 clark.
    [f. prec. n.]
    intr. To act as clerk. (Also to clerk it.) Hence ˈclerking vbl. n. and ppl. a.

1551 Edw. VI. Polit. Ess. in Lit. Rem. (1857–8) II. 482 I meane not theis ferming gentlemen, nor clarking knightes. 1679 ‘T. Ticklefoot’ Trial Wakeman 3 Why I should wave the Employment of Clerking to a Westminster Justice. a 1834 Lamb Let. Bernard Barton in Lett. xii. 114, I am very tired of clerking it. 1871 Carlyle Let. in Standard, Employments..for which women might be more or less fit—printing, tailoring, weaving, clerking, etc. 1885 Med. Times II. 449 A student..of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where he clerked [acted as Clinical Clerk] under Peter Mere Latham.

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