simonicaladj.

?1532 Enormytees vsyd by Clergy iii. sig. B.vii Such wryters..that leuyth the greter offencys in goddys lawe as the sayde symonycall heresyes and other be, to be vnprechyd, vnwrytyn and nat confuted.

1565 W. Alley Πτωχομυσεῖον ii. xii. f.12^v Some of the Bisshoppes of Rome, were Simonicall menne.

1626 L. Owen Running Reg. 54 Paulus Quintus that great Symonicall Pope.

1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xiv. 139 Compiler of that unsalted and Simonical praier.

1745 Coll. Voy. & Trav. I. 43/1 When a great abbey became vacant, and two rich and ambitious monks came to purchase it of him, according to his simonical method, he observed a third monk..and asked him, What he would give him?

a1868 C. Harpur Poet. Wks. (1984) 677 In those simonical days, Full certain I am it were righter To have Mammon figured always As an Old Man wearing a mitre!

1917 Ruling Case Law 16 652 In England it is held that though simonical presentations are against public policy..there is not such a superior public policy affecting the interest of the community at large.

2004 16th Cent. Jrnl. 34 602 To enact proper reform of the clergy through an end to simonical practices.

1634 E. Knott Mercy & Truth v. 159 If any should enter symonically, & be accepted..as Pope.

1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection v. iv. 267 in Justice Vindicated That Patron who should Symonically promote any Clerke.

1703 R. Ferguson Extraordinary Case Bp. St. David's 40 A certain Lease (suppos'd to have been Simonically granted).

1816 Christian Observer Mar. 137/2 Simony was so detestable to him, that by refusing to admit several persons, whom he suspected to be simonically preferred he suffered much by law-suits.

1917 Ruling Case Law 16 652 To deny his landlord's title in an action for rent, on the ground that the incumbent was simonically presented.

2011 Amer. Hist. Rev. 116 1559/1 The pope never accused Manasses of having acquired his office simonically.