ऋत्विज् _ṛtvij

ऋत्विज् a. Ved. Sacrificing at the proper season or regularly; -m. A priest who officiates at a sacrifice; यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् Rv.1.1.1; ऋत्विग्यज्ञकृदुच्यते Y.1.35; cf. Ms.2.143 also; the four chief Ṛitvijas are होतृ, उद्गातृ, अध्वर्यु and ब्रह्मन्; at grand ceremonies 16 are enumerated.