Priesthood

priesthood n.

[TMRC; obs.] The select group of system managers responsible for the operation and maintenance of a batch computer system. On these computers, a user never had direct access to a computer, but had to submit his/her data and programs to a priest for execution. Results were returned days or even weeks later. See acolyte.

--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.

Priest"hood (?), n.

1.

The office or character of a priest; the priestly function.

Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2.

Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart for sacred offices; the order of priests.

© Webster 1913.