clerisy
Definition
Noun: 1. An educated and intellectual elite; the class of learned or literary people in a society. The term refers to a group distinguished by their intellectual pursuits, knowledge, and cultural influence, often seen as the guardians of a society's high culture and learning.
Usage
The word "clerisy" is a formal and somewhat literary term. It is used to describe a collective body of intellectuals, scholars, and highly educated individuals who are considered the cultural and intellectual leaders of their time or society.
Examples
- The poet saw it as the duty of the clerisy to uphold moral and aesthetic standards in an age of commercialism.
- The conference brought together members of the scientific clerisy to debate the ethical implications of the new technology.
- In his essay, he lamented the declining influence of the clerisy in modern popular culture.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes carry a connotation of a somewhat exclusive or detached intellectual class, separate from the general populace.
- It is often used in discussions about the sociology of knowledge, cultural criticism, and the history of ideas.
Variants and Related Words
- Clergy (noun): While sounding similar, "clergy" refers specifically to the body of people ordained for religious duties. The words share an etymological root (from "clerk," meaning a literate person), but their modern meanings are distinct.
- Intelligentsia (noun): A very close synonym, also referring to intellectuals and highly educated people as a group, especially those interested in culture and politics.
Synonyms
- Intelligentsia
- Literati
- Cognoscenti
- The educated class
- The intellectual elite
Antonyms
- The masses
- The laity (in a secular context)
- The uneducated
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Guardians of culture: A phrase describing a role often attributed to the clerisy.
- The republic of letters: A historical term for the community of writers and scholars across nations, closely related to the concept of a clerisy.
Noun
-
an educated and intellectual elite
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