churchman

What it means

1. obsoleteA churchwarden.First known use 15th–16th c.
2. A person (originally a man) of authority in a Christian religious organization (a church).First known use 16th c.

   The bishop, a highly placed churchman, stated the religion's opinion.

3. A member or adherent of an established church, especially the Church of England.First known use 17th c.

   I replied, ‘I attended St. James's, St. Martin's, and St. Ann's, Soho;’—‘So,’ said he, ‘you are a churchman.’

   1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 10, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I

   2 more examples

   Thus they say the king of Great Britain, must maintain episcopacy in England, and presbyterianism in Scotland, whether he be a presbyterian as king William, a Lutheran as George I. or a true churchman as his present Majesty.

   1791, Joseph Priestley, Letters to Burke, section V

   It was a brave sight on a Sunday morning to see those old Tottenhamites—each with his comfortable lady-wife on his arm—proceeding in their stiff Sunday best to the morning service; pitying the Quaker friends they met on their way for their incomplete and unenlightened faith—the Quakers, of course, pitying the Churchmen for theirs.

   1914, S. G. Tallentyre [Evelyn Beatrice Hall], “VIII. Realisation”, in Matthew Hargraves, London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, page 155

In a sentence

The bishop, a highly placed churchman, stated the religion's opinion.

Where it comes from

From church + man. Compare kirkman and German Kirchmann.

First known use: 15th–16th c.