Definition

Noun: 1. Sanction by a religious rite; specifically, a marriage ceremony performed by a member of the clergy. This term refers to the formal approval or blessing of a union, most commonly marriage, through a religious ritual conducted by an ordained minister, priest, or other religious official. It emphasizes the religious, as opposed to purely civil or legal, aspect of the ceremony.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Their union was solemnized with the benefit of clergy in a small chapel.
  • In historical contexts, couples sought the benefit of clergy to ensure their marriage was recognized by the church.
  • The phrase "living together without benefit of clergy" traditionally describes a cohabiting couple not married in a religious ceremony.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Legal Context: Historically, in English law, "benefit of clergy" was a legal privilege that allowed clergy members (and later, literate laypeople) to be tried in ecclesiastical courts, which could not impose the death penalty, rather than in secular courts. The modern idiomatic use relating to marriage derives from this, implying a privilege or sanction granted by the church.
  • The accused claimed the benefit of clergy to avoid a harsher secular judgment.

Variants and Related Words

• Clergyman/Clergywoman (n): A male or female member of the clergy.
• Clergy (n, collective): The body of all people ordained for religious duties in a Christian church.

Synonyms

• Holy matrimony
• Sacrament of marriage (in Christian contexts)
• Church wedding

Related Phrases

• Without benefit of clergy: A set phrase describing a relationship, typically cohabitation or sometimes a civil marriage, that lacks a formal religious wedding ceremony.
  • They had been partners for years, though initially without benefit of clergy.

Noun

1. sanction by a religious rite
   • they are living together without benefit of clergy