Part 285

2. The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity.

Clerk (kl&etilde;rk; in Eng. klńrk; 277), n. [Either OF. clerc, fr. L. clericus a priest, or AS. clerc, cleric, clerk, priest, fr. L. clericus, fr. Gr. klhriko`s belonging to the clergy, fr. klh^ros lot, allotment, clergy; cf. Deut. xviii. 2. Cf. Clergy.] 1. A clergyman or ecclesiastic. [Obs.]

All persons were styled clerks that served in the church of Christ. Ayliffe.

2. A man who could read; a scholar; a learned person; a man of letters. [Obs.] "Every one that could read . . . being accounted a clerk." Blackstone.

He was no great clerk, but he was perfectly well versed in the interests of Europe. Burke.

3. A parish officer, being a layman who leads in reading the responses of the Episcopal church service, and otherwise assists in it. [Eng.] Hook.

And like unlettered clerk still cry "Amen". Shak.

4. One employed to keep records or accounts; a scribe; an accountant; as, the clerk of a court; a town clerk.

The clerk of the crown . . . withdrew the bill. Strype.

&fist; In some cases, clerk is synonymous with secretary. A clerk is always an officer subordinate to a higher officer, board, corporation, or person; whereas a secretary may be either a subordinate or the head of an office or department.

5. An assistant in a shop or store. [U. S.]

Clerk"-ale` (? in Eng. &?;), n. A feast for the benefit of the parish clerk. [Eng.] T. Warton.

Clerk"less, a. Unlearned. [Obs.] E. Waterhouse.

Clerk"like` (?), a. Scholarlike. [Obs.] Shak.

Clerk"li*ness (?), n. Scholarship. [Obs.]

Clerk"ly, a. Of or pertaining to a clerk. Cranmer.

Clerk"ly, adv. In a scholarly manner. [Obs.] Shak.

Clerk"ship, n. State, quality, or business of a clerk.

Cler"o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr. &?; lot + -mancy; cf. F. clÚromancie.] A divination by throwing dice or casting lots.

Cle*ron"o*my (?), n. [Gr. &?; inheritance + &?; to possess.] Inheritance; heritage.

Cler"sto`ry (?), n. See Clearstory.

Clev"er (?), a. [Origin uncertain. Cf. OE. cliver eager, AS. clyfer (in comp.) cloven; or clifer a claw, perh. connected with E. cleave to divide, split, the meaning of E. clever perh. coming from the idea of grasping, seizing (with the mind).] 1. Possessing quickness of intellect, skill, dexterity, talent, or adroitness; expert.

Though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds. Macaulay.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever. C. Kingsley.

2. Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick. Byron.

3. Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness.

"T would sound more clever To me and to my heirs forever. Swift.

4. Well-shaped; handsome. "The girl was a tight, clever wench as any was." Arbuthnot.