druid Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a pre-Christian priest among the Celts of ancient Gaul and Britain and Ireland

WordNet

Dru"id noun
Etymology
L. Druides; of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. & Gael. draoi, druidh, magician, Druid, W. derwydd Druid.
Definitions
  1. One of an order of priests which in ancient times existed among certain branches of the Celtic race, especially among the Gauls and Britons. ✍ The Druids superintended the affairs of religion and morality, and exercised judicial functions. They practiced divination and magic, and sacrificed human victims as a part of their worship. They consisted of three classes; the bards, the vates or prophets, and the Druids proper, or priests. Their most sacred rites were performed in the depths of oak forests or of caves.
  2. A member of a social and benevolent order, founded in London in 1781, and professedly based on the traditions of the ancient Druids. Lodges or groves of the society are established in other countries.

Webster 1913