clerical
clerical
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling of "clerical" broken down by syllable:
clerical (klɛɹ.ɪ.kəl)
cler (klɛɹ)
k - voiceless velar plosive
l - alveolar lateral approximant
ɛɹ - near-low central rounded vowel (like "air" but shorter)
i (ɪ)
ɪ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like "in" but shorter)
cal (kəl)
k - voiceless velar plosive
ə - central vowel (schwa sound)
l - alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
The main word form variations for "clerical" are:
Singular: clerical (adjective)
Plural: clerical (adjective) - Since "clerical" functions as an adjective, it doesn't have a separate plural form. You would simply use "clerical" to describe multiple things.
Here are some less common variations:
Clerically: (adverb) - This describes something done in a clerical manner (related to office work).
Clericality: (noun) - This refers to the state of being clerical or the qualities associated with clerical work.
There aren't any verb forms directly derived from "clerical."
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition:
Relating to the routine administrative tasks performed in an office, such as filing, data entry, and bookkeeping. (Most common meaning)
Relating to or characteristic of the clergy (religious officials). (Less common meaning)
Synonyms: (for meaning 1) administrative, office, secretarial, paperwork-related
Antonyms: (for meaning 1) managerial, executive, creative, technical
Synonyms: (for meaning 2) religious, priestly, pastoral
Antonyms: (for meaning 2) secular, lay
Adverb (less common):
Definition: In a way that is typical of office work; in a routine or administrative manner.
Synonyms: administratively, routinely, procedurally
Antonyms: creatively, independently, strategically
Noun (less common):
Definition: The qualities or characteristics associated with clerical work, such as being detail-oriented and organised.
Synonyms: clericalism, administrative nature
Antonyms: creativity, innovation, strategic thinking
Examples of Use
Book: "George spent his days hunched over a desk performing tedious clerical tasks, longing for a more stimulating job." (Fictional novel)
Newspaper: "The company admitted the data breach was caused by a simple clerical error during a routine database update." (Financial newspaper)
Online Publication: "Double-check your application for any clerical errors before submitting it." (Job board website)
Entertainment Medium: (TV show scene) "Hold on, there seems to be a clerical error on your bill. It says you ordered ten pizzas?" (Sitcom)
Public Discourse: "The voter registration office is swamped with requests to fix clerical errors on ballots." (News interview)
Real-World Examples of "Clerical Garb" (Less Common Meaning):
Book: "The old priest, dressed in his clerical garb, approached the podium to deliver the sermon." (Historical fiction)
Newspaper: "The Pope appeared in public wearing traditional clerical garb." (International news article)
Note: This second meaning is less common in everyday conversation and written text.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Clerical
Unfortunately, there aren't many famous quotes that directly use the word "clerical" in the common sense (related to office work). This is because most well-known quotes focus on broader themes and ideas, not the specifics of administrative tasks.
However, here are 10 quotes that touch on related ideas, with some creative interpretations:
"The bureaucracy is expanding because the documents breed. Kafka" (This quote by Franz Kafka captures the feeling of being bogged down in paperwork, a common aspect of clerical work.)
"The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it." Theodore Roosevelt (This quote highlights the difference between managerial and clerical roles.)
"The details are not the details. They make the big picture." Charles Eames (Clerical work often involves meticulous attention to detail, which is crucial for the bigger picture.)
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." Steve Jobs (Innovation is the opposite of the routine nature of clerical work.)
"Accuracy is the disease of bureaucracy." G.K. Chesterton (This quote reflects the potential for clerical work to become overly focused on strictness at the expense of efficiency.)
"The only source of knowledge is experience." Albert Einstein (While not directly related to clerical work, this quote highlights the importance of learning from repetitive tasks, which can be a part of clerical roles.)
"There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all." Peter Drucker (This quote questions the purpose of some repetitive administrative tasks.)
"The pen is mightier than the sword." Edward Bulwer-Lytton (This quote, though referencing writing in general, can be interpreted as highlighting the power of documentation, a key aspect of clerical work.)
"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country." Franklin D. Roosevelt (This quote emphasises the role of citizens, which includes those employed in administrative government functions, like clerical work.)
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." Jimmy Johnson (This quote highlights the importance of small details, which can be a strength in clerical work.)
Etymology
The word "clerical" comes from a long family history! Its great-great-grandparent is the Latin word "clericus," which means "churchman" or someone involved with the church. This makes sense because in the old days, people who could read and write were often priests or monks. They were the ones who kept records and did the paperwork for the church.
Around the 16th century in English, people started using "clerical" to describe things related to those church folks. But then, something interesting happened. People started using clerks for more than just church stuff. Clerks became people who did office work in general, like writing things down and keeping things organised. So, by the late 18th century, "clerical" also started to mean things related to this new kind of office work.
So, while "clerical" can still refer to the church in some situations, today it most commonly refers to the everyday tasks done in an office setting.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Clerical
Interestingly, there aren't many common phrases or idioms that directly use "clerical" in either of its main meanings. Here's why:
For office work: "Clerical" itself already describes the concept. People might use phrases like "clerical duties" or "clerical error" to be more specific, but there aren't catchy idioms built around it.
For religious officials: This meaning is less common in everyday speech. Phrases like "clerical garb" (clothing) or "clerical collar" (specific clothing item) describe religious attire.
However, here are a few related expressions you might encounter:
Push paper: This is an informal way to describe doing repetitive administrative tasks, similar to clerical work.
Bogged down in paperwork: This describes being overwhelmed with administrative tasks, which can be a burden of clerical roles.
Red tape: This refers to excessive bureaucracy and complex procedures, often associated with slow and tedious administrative processes.
Crossing the T's and dotting the I's: This idiom refers to being very careful and paying close attention to detail, a skill important in clerical work.
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Source Information
Definition of clerical from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
