laicism

[ ley-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. the nonclerical, or secular, control of political and social institutions in a society ( clericalism ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of laicism¹

First recorded in 1930–35; laic + -ism

Example Sentences

The Bishops will forbid congresses of priests, except in rare occasions, when they shall be certain that there is no danger of Modernism, laicism, or presbyterianism.

From Project Gutenberg

We condemn the principle of suppression of the Church which the State already has sanctioned in the new Constitution as the most grievous error and the most lamentable result of the laicism or of the apostasy of present-day society which aims at separating itself from God.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus, while some shock me by their sacerdotal dogmatism, others repel me by their rationalizing laicism.

From Project Gutenberg