priestcraft

2 definitions found

priestcraft - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Priestcraft \Priest"craft`\, n.
     Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill
     sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management
     by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the
     religious motives or credulity of others.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft
           than by violence.                        --Macaulay.
     [1913 Webster]

priestcraft - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  priestcraft
      n 1: a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence
           to control secular or political affairs
      2: the skills involved in the work of a priest