simony

noun

si·mo·ny ˈsī-mə-nē

ˈsi-

: the buying or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical preferment

Examples of simony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

One cardinal accuses another of simony, the buying and selling of ecclesiastical office. —

Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English symonie, from Anglo-French simonie, from Late Latin simonia, from Simon Magus, Samaritan sorcerer in Acts 8: 9–24

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of simony was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Simony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simony. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 11 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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