Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural fla·mens, fla·mi·nes [flam–uh-neez] /ˈflæm əˌniz/.
- (in ancient Rome) a priest.
noun plural flamens or flamines (ˈflæmɪˌniːz)
- (in ancient Rome) any of 15 priests who each served a particular deity
“ancient Roman priest,” 1530s, from Latin flamen, of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE root *bhlad- “to worship” (cf. Gothic blotan, Old English blotan “to sacrifice”). Also used from early 14c. in reference to the ancient pre-Christian British priests, in imitation of Geoffrey of Monmouth.