PRIESTCRAFT

priestcraft

(noun) the skills involved in the work of a priest

priestcraft

(noun) a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence to control secular or political affairs

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

priestcraft (usually uncountable, plural priestcrafts)

The craft of performing the duties of a priest.

(pejorative) Priestly policy directed towards worldly ends.

Anagrams

• afterscript

Source: Wiktionary

Priest"craft`, n.

Definition: 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. It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft than by violence. Macaulay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition