laic

American  

[ley-ik] / ˈleɪ ɪk /

adjective

1. Also laical. lay; secular.

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noun

1. one of the laity.

laic British  

/ ˈleɪɪk /

adjective

1. of or involving the laity; secular

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noun

1. a rare word for layman

Other Word Forms

• laically adverb
• laicism noun

Etymology

Origin of laic

1555–65; < Late Latin lāicus < Greek lāikós of the people, equivalent to lā ( ós ) people + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

It's about what philosophical measures have to be taken to impose a powerful laic republic, unifying all.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2015

He will not dance to the pipe ecclesiastic, sound it who may—Churchman, Dissenter, priest, or laic.

From Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies by Jefferies, Richard

Luther himself, at the same time that he reserved to the new German church a certain measure of spontaneity and liberty, had placed it under the protection and preponderance of laic sovereigns.

From A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 4 by Black, Robert

Like most supernatural virtues, it has a laic shadow; the counsel to abstain, and to be unsolicitous, is one not only of perfection, but also of polity.

From Modern Essays by Ayres, Harry Morgan

Catholicism has adapted itself in practice to laic legislation and to the exigencies of modern life.

From The Inside Story of the Peace Conference by Dillon, Emile Joseph