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

Thus, at the end of the thirteenth century, there were found face to face two systems, one laic and the other ecclesiastical, of absolute power.

From A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 2 by Black, Robert

This meant little in the Middle Ages, when all intellectual callings were clerical, when at Oxford gownsman and clerk, townsman and laic, were convertible terms.

From Oxford and Her Colleges by Smith, Goldwin

Touching my peers, it is but necessary to say, that Mistress Martha Trapbois will none of them, whether clerical or laic.

From The Fortunes of Nigel by Scott, Walter, Sir

The laic judges, Raoul Bouteillier, baillie of Rouen, and his lieutenant, Peter Daron, were alone qualified to pronounce sentence of death; but no time was given them.

From A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3 by Black, Robert