All persons were styled clerks that served in the
church of Christ. --Ayliffe.
2. A man who could read; a scholar; a learned person; a man
of letters. [Obs.] ``Every one that could read . . . being
accounted a clerk.'' --Blackstone.
He was no great clerk, but he was perfectly well
versed in the interests of Europe. --Burke.
3. A parish officer, being a layman who leads in reading the
responses of the Episcopal church service, and otherwise
assists in it. [Eng.] --Hook.
And like unlettered clerk still cry ``Amen''.
--Shak.
4. One employed to keep records or accounts; a scribe; an
accountant; as, the clerk of a court; a town clerk.
The clerk of the crown . . . withdrew the bill.
--Strype.
Note: In some cases, clerk is synonymous with secretary. A
clerk is always an officer subordinate to a higher
officer, board, corporation, or person; whereas a
secretary may be either a subordinate or the head of an
office or department.
5. An assistant in a shop or store. [U. S.]