If convicted of a clergyable felony, he is entitled equally to his clergy after as before conviction.
Blackstone.
Benefit of clergy (Eng., Law), the exemption of the persons of clergymen from criminal process before a secular judge -- a privilege which was extended to all who could read, such persons being, in the eye of the law, clerici, or clerks. This privilege was abridged and modified by various statutes, and finally abolished in the reign of George IV. (1827). -- Regular clergy, Secular clergy See Regular, n., and Secular, a.
Cler"gy*a*ble (?), a. Entitled to, or admitting, the benefit of clergy; as, a clergyable felony. Blackstone.
Cler"gy*man (?), n.; pl. Clergymen (#). An ordained minister; a man regularly authorized to preach the gospel, and administer its ordinances; in England usually restricted to a minister of the Established Church.
Cler"ic (?), n. [AS., fr. L. clericus. See Clerk.] A clerk, a clergyman. [R.] Bp. Horsley.
Cler"ic (?), a. Same as Clerical.
Cler"ic*al (?), a. [LL. clericalis. See Clerk.] 1. Of or pertaining to the clergy; suitable for the clergy. "A clerical education." Burke.
2. Of or relating to a clerk or copyist, or to writing. "Clerical work." E. Everett.
A clerical error, an error made in copying or writing.
Cler"ic*al*ism (?), n. An excessive devotion to the interests of the sacerdotal order; undue influence of the clergy; sacerdotalism.
Cler*ic"i*ty (?), n. The state of being a clergyman.
Cler"i*sy (?), n. [LL. clericia. See Clergy.] 1. The literati, or well educated class.