secularize

[ sek-yuh-luh-rahyz ]

/ ˈsɛk yə ləˌraɪz /

verb (used with object), sec·u·lar·ized, sec·u·lar·iz·ing.

to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism.

to change (clergy) from regular to secular.

to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use.

Nearby words

Also especially British, sec·u·lar·ise.

Origin of secularize

First recorded in 1605–15; secular + -ize

Related forms

sec·u·lar·i·za·tion, nounsec·u·lar·iz·er, nouno·ver·sec·u·lar·i·za·tion, nouno·ver·sec·u·lar·ize, verb (used with object), o·ver·sec·u·lar·ized, o·ver·sec·u·lar·iz·ing.

un·sec·u·lar·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for secularization

After secularization San Gabriel was one of the Missions that slaughtered a large number of her cattle for the hides and tallow.
The Old Franciscan Missions Of California|George Wharton James
The Church had opposed the secularization of the drama, at the end of the fifteenth century, for two reasons.
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7|Various
But secularization has advanced under the State Church system.
A History of Freedom of Thought|John Bagnell Bury
One of the most flourishing of the early missions, at the time of secularization it was valued at $90,000.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846|Various

Secularization—the carrying on of systematic work against the Orthodox Church through special channels.
Bolshevism|John Spargo

British Dictionary definitions for secularization

secularize

secularise

/ (ˈsɛkjʊləˌraɪz) /

verb (tr)

to change from religious or sacred to secular functions, etc

to dispense from allegiance to a religious order

law to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use

English legal history to transfer (an offender) from the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to that of the civil courts for the imposition of a more severe punishment

Derived Formssecularization or secularisation, nounsecularizer or seculariser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for secularization

secularization

1706, "conversion to secular purposes," in reference to Church property; see secularize + -ation. General use by 1863.

secularize

1610s, of property, offices, etc., from secular + -ize. From 1711 as "to become worldly;" from 1846 of education, social institutions, etc. Related: Secularized; secularizing.