laicize

[ley-uh-sahyz]

laicize Definition

to remove from ecclesiastical status or character; to secularize.

Using laicize: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "laicize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The government decided to laicize the schools and remove religious education.

• Example

  The priest was laicized after he got married.

• Example

  The church was laicized and turned into a museum.

laicize Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for laicize

• secularize
• desacralize
• deconsecrate

Phrases with laicize

• laicize oneself

  to voluntarily give up one's position in the church and become a layperson

  Example

  After years of service, the bishop decided to laicize himself and retire.

• laicize a marriage

  to convert a religious marriage into a civil one

  Example

  They decided to laicize their marriage so that it would be recognized by the state.

• laicize a building

  to convert a religious building into a secular one

  Example

  The church decided to laicize the old monastery and turn it into a community center.

Origins of laicize

from French 'laïciser', from 'laïque' meaning 'secular'

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Summary: laicize in Brief

'Laicize' [ley-uh-sahyz] means to remove from ecclesiastical status or character, often by converting something religious into something secular. It can refer to schools, buildings, or even marriages, as in 'The government decided to laicize the schools and remove religious education.' 'Laicize' can also be used reflexively, as in 'The bishop decided to laicize himself and retire.'