noun Roman Catholic Church.- a branch of a religious order whose members are lay people following the avocations of a secular life.
- a member of a Third Order who follows its rule in the community under ordinary simple vows.
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British Dictionary definitions for third order- RC Church a religious society of laymen affiliated to one of the religious orders and following a mitigated form of religious rule
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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