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laicize

 - 2 dictionary results

la⋅i⋅cize

  [ley-uh-sahyz]
Use laicize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -cized, -ciz⋅ing.
to remove the clerical character or nature of; secularize: to laicize a school; to laicize the office of headmaster.
Also, especially British, la⋅i⋅cise.

Origin:
1790–1800; laic + -ize

Related forms:
la⋅i⋅ci⋅za⋅tion  [ley-uh-suh-zey-shuhn] , noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To laicize
la·i·cize   (lā'ĭ-sīz')   
tr.v.   la·i·cized, la·i·ciz·ing, la·i·ciz·es

  1. To free from ecclesiastical control; give over to laypeople.

  2. To change to lay status; secularize.

la'i·ci·za'tion (-sĭ-zā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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