disfellowship

American  

[dis-fel-oh-ship] / dɪsˈfɛl oʊˌʃɪp /

noun

1. (in some Protestant religions) the status of a member who, because of some serious infraction of church policy, has been denied the church's sacraments and any post of responsibility and is officially shunned by other members.

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verb (used with object)

disfellowshiped, disfellowshiping, disfellowshipped, disfellowshipping

1. to place in the status of disfellowship.

disfellowship British  

/ ˌdɪsˈfɛləʊʃɪp /

verb

1. to excommunicate

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Etymology

Origin of disfellowship

First recorded in 1600–10; dis- ¹ + fellowship

Example Sentences

John says he later discovered his wife had testified against him during the process that led to his disfellowship, which he believes placed a great strain on their relationship.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2017

She adds that while not everyone goes through a formal disfellowship when they leave, their relationships seldom go on unaffected.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2017

The outcomes can include probation, disfellowship, excommunication or no action.

From Reuters • Jun. 30, 2014

Disciplinary hearing outcomes can include probation, disfellowship, excommunication or exoneration.

From Reuters • Jun. 17, 2014

Both sought the truth with an attempt at unbiassed judgment; and neither wished to disfellowship the other, or to put any restrictions upon its expression of its opinions.

From Unitarianism in America by Cooke, George Willis