săcerdōtĭum, ii, n. [1. sacerdos],
I the priesthood , the office or dignity of priests , the sacerdotal office (good prose; used equally in sing. and plur.)
α Sing. : amplissimum sacerdotium, Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 51, § 127: amplissimi sacerdotii collegium, id. Fam. 3, 10, 9: propter amplitudinem sacerdotii, id. Agr. 2, 7, 18: homo in sacerdotio diligentissimus, id. Rab. Perd. 10, 27: eodem sacerdotio praeditus, id. Sen. 17, 61: familiare, Liv. 9, 29: priscum et religiosum, Plin. Ep. 4, 8, 1.—
β Plur. : hoc idem de ceteris sacerdotiis Cn. Domitius tulit: quod populus per religionem sacerdotia mandare non poterat, Cic. Agr. 2, 7, 18: lex de sacerdotiis, id. Lael. 25, 96: de sacerdotiis contendere, Caes. B. C. 3, 82.—
B In eccl. Lat., of the mediatorial office of Christ, Vulg. Heb. 7, 12; 7, 24.