n. [ OE. prest, preost, AS. preóst, fr. L. presbyter, Gr. &unr_; elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of &unr_; an old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L. pristinus. Cf. Pristine, Presbyter. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister; specifically: (a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially, one of the lowest order possessing this power. Murdock. (b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial services except those of ordination and confirmation. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist priests. “The priests of Dagon.” 1 Sam. v. 5. [ 1913 Webster ] Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with the people. Acts xiv. 13. [ 1913 Webster ] Every priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Heb. v. 1. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests; but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high priest, and all Christians are designated priests. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
