Definition

Noun: 1. A clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson: A title or term for a member of the clergy, particularly one who holds a permanent position as the minister of a parish or church.

Usage

• The word "dominus" is a formal, historical, or ecclesiastical term. It is not commonly used in everyday modern English.
• It is typically used in historical or religious contexts to refer to a clergyman, often one with authority or a settled position.
• It can be used as a title, similar to "Reverend" or "Pastor," though it is much less common.

Examples

• The village records from 1720 refer to the local priest as Jones.
• In the medieval manuscript, the scribe addressed the bishop as " episcopus."

Advanced Usage

• In Historical/Liturgical Context: The term may appear in Latin phrases within Christian liturgy or historical documents. For example, "" ("The Lord be with you") is a liturgical greeting, though here "" means "lord" (referring to God), not "clergyman." This highlights the importance of context.
• As a Title of Respect: In some traditional or academic settings, "Dominus" can be used as a formal title of address for a scholar or master, though this usage is very rare in contemporary English.

Variants and Related Words

• Dominie (noun): A Scottish term for a schoolmaster or a minister. This is a derived form more commonly encountered in certain dialects or historical texts.
• Dom (noun): A title prefixed to the names of some Roman Catholic Benedictine and Carthusian monks, and formerly to certain other clergy (e.g., Dom Perignon). It is a direct abbreviation of "Dominus."

Synonyms

• Clergyman: A general term for a male religious leader.
• Parson: A Protestant minister in charge of a parish.
• Rector: A clergy member in charge of a parish in certain Christian churches.
• Pastor: A minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation.
• Curate: A member of the clergy engaged as an assistant to a parish priest.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning provided is as a title for a clergyman.
• It is crucial to distinguish this from the Latin word "" meaning "lord," "master," or "owner," which is frequently seen in Latin mottos, prayers, and historical texts (e.g., "" – "The Lord is my light"). The meaning is entirely dependent on context.

Noun

1. a clergyman; especially a settled minister or parson