clerisy

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

clerisy
    n 1: an educated and intellectual elite [syn: {intelligentsia},
         {clerisy}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Clerisy \Cler"i*sy\, n. [LL. clericia. See {Clergy}.]
   1. The literati, or well educated class.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The clergy, or their opinions, as opposed to the laity.
      [1913 Webster]