simony

noun

si·​mo·​ny ˈsī-mə-nē  ˈsi- 

: the buying or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical preferment

Word History

Etymology

Middle English symonie, from Anglo-French simonie, from Late Latin simonia, from Simon Magus, Samaritan sorcerer in Acts 8: 9–24

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above