irenics

American

[ahy-ren-iks, ahy-ree-niks] / aɪˈrɛn ɪks, aɪˈri nɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

the branch of theology dealing with the promotion of peace and conciliation among Christian churches.

irenics British

/ -ˈrɛn-, aɪˈriːnɪks /

noun

(functioning as singular) that branch of theology that is concerned with unity between Christian sects and denominations

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of irenics

First recorded in 1880–85; see origin at irenic, -ics

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a professor of future priests, he taught them to replace polemics with irenics and isolation with collaboration.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023