DRUID

Druid

(noun) a pre-Christian priest among the Celts of ancient Gaul and Britain and Ireland

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

druid (plural druids)

One of an order of priests among certain groups of Celts before the adoption of Abrahamic religions.

Usage notes

• Often capitalized: Druid.

Noun

Druid (plural Druids)

Alternative letter-case form of druid

A member of a benefit society founded in 1781, the Ancient Order of Druids.

Source: Wiktionary

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Dru"id, n. Etym: [L. Druides; of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. draoi, druidh, magician, Druid, W. derwydd Druid.]

1. One of an order of priests which in ancient times existed among certain branches of the Celtic race, especially among the Gauls and Britons.

Note: The Druids superintended the affairs of religion and morality, and exercised judicial functions. They practiced divination and magic, and sacrificed human victims as a part of their worship. They consisted of three classes; the bards, the vates or prophets, and the Druids proper, or priests. Their most sacred rites were performed in the depths of oak forests or of caves.

2. A member of a social and benevolent order, founded in London in 1781, and professedly based on the traditions of the ancient Druids. Lodges or groves of the society are established in other countries. Druid stones, a name given, in the south of England, to weatherworn, rough pillars of gray sandstone scattered over the chalk downs, but in other countries generally in the form of circles, or in detached pillars.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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