Clērk, n.

(14) (Synop., § 130), n. [O. Fr. & Pr. clerc, educated, from Lat. clericus, A.-S. clerc, cleric, cleroc, clerk, priest. See CLERGY.]

1Sense 1. A clergyman or ecclesiastic; an ordained minister. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

2Sense 2. An educated person; a scholar; a man of letters. [Obs.] “Every one that could read . . . being accounted a clerk.” Blackstone.

3Sense 3. [Eng.] A parish officer, being a layman who leads in reading the responses of the Episcopal church service, and otherwise assists in it. Hook.

And like unlettered clerk still cry, Amen. Shak.

4Sense 4. One who is employed to keep records and accounts; a scribe; a penman; an accountant; as, the clerk of a court.

The clerk of the crown . . . withdrew the bill. Strype.

☞ In some cases, clerk is synonymous with secretary. A clerk is always an officer subordinate to a higher officer, board, corporation, or person; whereas a secretary may be either a subordinate or the head of an office or department.

5Sense 5. An assistant in a shop or store, who sells goods, keeps accounts, &c.

☞ This word is generally pronounced in England as if it was spelt clark, but this pronunciation is very uncommon in the United States.