A clergyman, or ecclesiastic; a man in holy orders.

Aman that can read. Everyone that could read--being accounted a clerk.

Aman of letters; a scholar. The foregoing significations are found in the English laws, and histories of the church; as in the rude ages of the church, learning was chiefly confined to the clergy. In modern usage.

A writer; one who is employed in the use of the pen, in an office public or private, for keeping records, and accounts; as the clerk of a court. In some cases clerk is synonymous with secretary; but not always. A clerk is always an officer subordinate to a higher officer, board, corporation or person; whereas, a secretary may be either a subordinate officer, or the head of an office or department.

A layman who is the reader of responses in church service.