laicize

American  

[ley-uh-sahyz] / ˈleɪ əˌsaɪz /

especially British, laicise

verb (used with object)

laicized, laicizing

1. to remove the clerical character or nature of; secularize.

   to laicize a school; to laicize the office of headmaster.

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laicize British  

/ ˈleɪɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to withdraw clerical or ecclesiastical character or status from (an institution, building, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• laicization noun

Etymology

Origin of laicize

First recorded in 1790–1800; laic + -ize

Example Sentences

The Vatican can forcibly laicize priests, or defrock them, as a punishment for such crimes as clergy sexual abuse.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2022

After the Dallas Charter came a rush to laicize, resulting in more than 220 of the priests researched by the AP being laicized between 2004 and 2010.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2019

“If we laicize them or if we let them walk away … no one is watching them,” she said.

From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2019

Sedlmayer’s suit was later dismissed, a move his attorney, Evan Goldman, said was mutually agreed to because the diocese threatened to laicize Sedlmayer if he didn’t agree.

From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2019

Only the other day the local authorities were instigated, I know not by whom—perhaps by the friends of M. Ferry at St.-Dié, which is not very far off—to "laicize" instruction in Domrémy.

From France and the Republic A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889 by Hurlbert, William Henry