Definition

Noun: 1. A clergyman or minister, especially one who is settled in a parish or congregation. This is the primary meaning, referring to a religious leader, often in a Protestant tradition, who has pastoral charge of a specific community. 2. (Chiefly Scottish & US, archaic or dialect) A schoolmaster. This secondary meaning, now less common, refers to a teacher, especially one in a village or parish school.

Usage Examples

• As a clergyman:
  • The old dominie delivered a powerful sermon that moved the entire congregation.
  • The village dominie was responsible for both the spiritual and moral guidance of his parishioners.
• As a schoolmaster (archaic/dialect):
  • In the old Scottish tale, the children were both respectful and fearful of the strict village dominie.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a connotation of formality, respect, and sometimes sternness associated with the authority figure it describes.
• It is frequently used in historical or regional contexts rather than in modern, general English.

Variants and Related Words

• Dominus (Latin): Meaning "lord" or "master," this is the etymological root of "dominie."
• Dominee (Afrikaans/Dutch): A direct cognate meaning "minister" or "reverend," used in South Africa and the Netherlands.

Synonyms

• Clergyman: A general term for a male religious leader.
• Minister: A Protestant religious leader.
• Parson: A clergyman, especially one with a parish.
• Pastor: A minister in charge of a Christian congregation.
• Schoolmaster (for the archaic sense): A male teacher, especially in a private school.

Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no common idioms using "dominie" itself, the authority of a dominie is sometimes referenced in phrases like "stern as a dominie" to describe a very strict or moralistic person.

Noun

1. a clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson