priesthood & priestliness

[bieasy]

Hi,

Can "priesthood" be synonym of "priestliness" ?

[mykwyner]

No. "Priesthood" is a noun meaning the collected ordained priests of a particular religion. "Priestliness" is a back-formed noun derived from the adjective "priestly" which means "like a priest." A person who is non-religious may behave like a priest and therefore have priestliness but not be a member of the priesthood.

[blouen]

"His being part of the royal priesthood demands him to show priestliness in his ways."
* Is this acceptable?

[bieasy]

Could you give a few more examples using the word "priestliness" ?

[blouen]

Well, I just can't do that. I'm asking questions too...

[bieasy]

Well, I just can't do that. I'm asking questions too...

It was addressed to the teachers

[mykwyner]

Priestliness is an awkward, cobbled-together word that I would never use. If I wanted to describe priestliness in a negative way I would use sanctimony, if I wanted to describe it in a positive way, I would use piety. Neither of those words mean "like a priest," but then not all priests are alike. If I wanted to say that someone behaved like a priest and that behavior was annoying, I would say that I'm annoyed by his priest-like behavior.