Clēr'gy, n.

n. [Fr. clergé, O. Fr. clergie, Pr. clercia, Sp. clerecía, L. Lat. clericia, from Lat. clericus, Gr. κληρικός, priest, from Lat. clerus, Gr. κλῆρος, the clergy; originally a lot, that which is assigned by lot, an allotment of land; hence the application of this word to ministers or ecclesiastical teachers probably originated in the allotment to them of lands for their support.

1. The body of men set apart, and consecrated, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church; the body of ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually the ministers of the established church. Hooker.
2. Learning. [Obs.] “Sophistry, . . . rhetoric, and other clergy.” Guy of Warwick.
3. The privilege or benefit of clergy.

If convicted of a clergyable felony, he is entitled equally to his clergy after as before conviction. Blackstone.