church
The definition of church is a religious institution of worship, or is the building where religious worship takes place.
(noun)- An example of church is the Christian church.
- An example of church is where a religious service regularly takes place.
See church in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a building set apart or consecrated for public worship, esp. one for Christian worship
- religious service or public worship, esp. among Christians
- all Christians considered as a single body
- a particular sect or denomination of Christians
- the ecclesiastical government of a particular religious group, or its power, as opposed to secular government
- the profession of the clergy; clerical profession
- a group of worshipers; congregation
Origin: ME chirche, kirke < OE cirice (& ON kirkja < OE) < Gmc *kirika < LGr(Ec) *kyrikē < Gr kyriakē (oikia), Lord's (house) < kyriakos, belonging to the Lord < kyrios, ruler < kyros, supreme power < IE base *eu-, a swelling, to be strong, hero > cave
transitive verb
adjective
- having to do with organized Christian worship
- of or connected with a church
See church in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A building for public, especially Christian worship.
- often Churcha. The company of all Christians regarded as a spiritual body.b. A specified Christian denomination: the Presbyterian Church.c. A congregation.
- Public divine worship in a church; a religious service: goes to church at Christmas and Easter.
- The clerical profession; clergy.
- Ecclesiastical power as distinguished from the secular: the separation of church and state.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English chirche
Origin: , from Old English cirice
Origin: , ultimately from Medieval Greek kūrikon
Origin: , from Late Greek kūriakon (dōma), the Lord's (house)
Origin: , neuter of Greek kūriakos, of the lord
Origin: , from kūrios, lord; see keuə- in Indo-European roots
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See church in Ologies
Church
See also christianity; religion
collegialism
the belief that the church as an organization is independent of and equal to the state, with its highest authority lying in its collective membership.
the rank or office of a deacon.
ecclesiarch
Eastern Church. sacristan.
an excessive adherence to the doctrines and practices of the church. —ecclesiastic, n., adj. —ecclesiastical, adj.
ecclesioclasticism
Rare. an opposition to the church.
ecclesiography
a descriptive study of the church. —ecclesiographer, n. —ecclesiographic, ecclesiographical, adj.
ecclesiolatry
an intense devotion to church forms, authority, and traditions.
1. the study of church building and decoration.
2. Theology. the doctrine of the church.
3. the policy and operations of the church. —ecclesiologist, n. —ecclesiologic, ecclesiological, adj.
ecclesiophobia
an abnormal fear or dislike of the church.
festilogy
a dissertation on church festivals.
hieromania
a mania for priests.
a list of the lections, or texts, to be read in church services through-out the canonical year.
formerly, a ninth part of a parishioner’s movable property, which was claimed upon his death by the clergy in England. See also law.
a person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing.
an official or cleric appointed curator of the vestments, sacred vessels, and relies of a religious body, church, or cathedral.
the sin or offense of selling or granting for personal advantage church appointments, benefices, preferments, etc. —simoniac, simonist, n.
Church Law. the taking of property by an incumbent upon resignation or any other departure. See also ships; theft; war.
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