Le corps des ecclésiastiques. Les membres du clergé.
ETYM Old Eng. clergie, clergi, clerge, Old Fren. clergie, French clergie (fr. clerc clerc, from Latin clericus priest) confused with Old Fren. clergié, French clergé, from Late Lat. clericatus office of priest. Related to Clerk.
Clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity).