A
priest or
priestess (feminine) (from
Greek πρεσβύτερος
presbýteros through
Latin presbyter, "elder", or from Old High
German priast,
prest, from Vulgar
Latin "prevost" "one put over others", from Latin
praepositus "person placed in charge"), is a person authorized to perform the
sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer
religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the
priesthood, a term which also may apply to such persons collectively.