priestess

noun

1. A woman with religious duties and responsibilities in certain religions.
2. (slur, uncommon)A female Christian priest or minister, typically in a Protestant, Old Catholic, or independent Catholic denomination.

   “The “extenuating circumstances” set forth by the Rev. Mr. Higgins certainly bring home not only the nature of Bishop Hall's problem but its cause; however, the problems of parish life under a deaconess are insignificant in comparison with the very grave issues raised by the ordination of a priestess.”

   “He has cleverly figured out that the deluded pro-priestess faction of the church already has its necessary two-thirds majority and that the time to act is now.”

   “THE Church of England is considering taking legal action against a recalcitrant opponent of women priests in Hull who refuses to take down a church sign which says: "This Anglican parish has no part in the apostasy of priestesses."”

3. (colloquial, obsolete)A priest’s wife.

   “As ſoon as they were parted, the Prieſteſs flounced out of the Houſe, call'd for her Coachman, and bid him put in his Horſes, for away would ſhe go […]”

verb

1. (transitive)To oversee (a pagan ceremony, etc.) as priestess.

   “Ye Ye Ife, a gifted feminist ritualist and priestess of Oshun from San Diego, trained in the Yoruba tradition, designed and priestessed the ritual with me.”

   “Priestessing the earth is for me personally the only natural response to the awe and deep love this evokes in me.”

   “I priestessed the ceremony. I played Hecate. One time I played Demeter and my daughter played Persephone.”