priestdom

Noun

priestdom (plural priestdoms)

1. (rare) Political rule or sweeping social control exercised by a class of priests; a ruling class of priests.
   • "They demolished," he says,"by the Word of God, the priestdom of the Pope and his lofty elevation."1863, “Merle D'Aubigné's History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin,”, in The Christian Observer, page 298
   • The Spaniards have become callous by the long rule of despotism, and especially of priestdom.1875 January 16, “Editor's Table”, in Appleton's Journal, volume 13, page 86
2. (rare) Priests collectively or priests of a particular religious group or affiliation collectively.
   • The Social Democracy will not recede; it will pursue it course and accomplish its design, even though all priestdom should rise against it, like a cloud of locusts thick enough to darken the sun.1886, Thomas Edwin Brown, Studies in Modern Socialism and Labor Problems, page 202
   • [A] population unit somewhat larger than a nuclear family used these tombs. If it were twice as large and consisted of ten individuals, it might be identified as an extended family or perhaps a fraternal organization such as a priestdom or warrior elite.1992, Jeffrey S. Soles, “The Prepalatial Cemeteries at Mochlos and Gournia and the House Tombs of Bronze Age Crete”, in Hesperia Supplements, volume 24, India, page 253