clericalism

From clerical +‎ -ism.

• (General American, Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈklɛ.ɹɪ.k(ə)ˌlɪ.z(ə)m/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: cle‧ri‧ca‧lism

clericalism (usually uncountable, plural clericalisms)

1. political or secular power invested in members of the clergy.
   • 1926, G. K. Chesterton, The Resurrection of Father Brown:

     'I think I am an anti-clerical,' Father Brown would say with a faint smile; 'but there wouldn't be half so much clericalism if they would only leave things to the clerics.'

• clericalist

• milliarcsec

Borrowed from French cléricalisme. By surface analysis, clerical +‎ -ism.

clericalism n (uncountable)

1. clericalism