First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1clerk
noun \ˈklərk, British usually ˈklärk\
: a person whose job is to keep track of records and documents for a business or office
: an elected or appointed official whose job is to take care of official papers and business for a court or government
: a person who works in a store
Full Definition of CLERK
1
: cleric
2
archaic : scholar
3
a : an official responsible (as to a government agency) for correspondence, records, and accounts and vested with specified powers or authority (as to issue writs as ordered by a court) <city clerk> b : one employed to keep records or accounts or to perform general office work c : one who works at a sales or service counter
— clerk·ship \-ˌship\ noun
See clerk defined for English-language learners
See clerk defined for kids
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Origin of CLERK
Middle English, from Anglo-French clerk & Old English cleric, clerc, both from Late Latin clericus, from Late Greek klērikos, from Greek klēros lot, inheritance (in allusion to Deuteronomy 18:2), stick of wood; akin to Greek klan to break — more at clast
2clerk
verb
: to work as a clerk
Full Definition of CLERK
intransitive verb
: to act or work as a clerk
See clerk defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLERK
1551
CLERK Defined for Kids
1clerk
noun \ˈklərk\
Definition of CLERK for Kids
1
: a person whose job is to keep records or accounts
2
: a salesperson in a store
2clerk
verb
clerkedclerk·ing
Definition of CLERK for Kids
: to act or work as a clerk
Medical Dictionary
clerk
noun \ˈklərk\
Medical Definition of CLERK
: a third- or fourth-year medical student undergoing clinical training in a clerkship
—clerk intransitive verb
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