laicize

verb

la·​i·​cize ˈlā-ə-ˌsīz 

laicized; laicizing

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to lay status

2

: to put under the direction of or open to the laity

laicization

ˌlā-ə-sə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of laicize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1981, after serving three years of probation, Kiesle asked to be laicized — removed from the priesthood. — Matthias Gafni, SFChronicle.com, 3 Mar. 2020

Thirteen have died, two have been removed from ministry, and four have been laicized, or removed from the clerical state. — Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for laicize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise