Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Simony \Sim"o*ny\, n. [F. simonie, LL. simonia, fr. Simon Magus,
   who wished to purchase the power of conferring the Holy
   Spirit. Acts viii.]
   The crime of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferment; the
   corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice
   for money or reward. --Piers Plowman.

Source : WordNet®

simony
     n : traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments