Definition

1. Verb:
   • To reduce to lay status; to remove clerical or ecclesiastical character or control from: The core meaning of "laicize" is to make something secular or non-clerical, often by transferring it from religious to civil authority or by removing its formal religious affiliation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The government's policy was to laicize the education system. (This means the government aimed to remove religious control from schools.)
  • After the revolution, the new regime moved to laicize many church-owned properties. (This describes the act of transferring property from religious to secular hands.)
  • The process to laicize a priest is complex and governed by canon law. (Here, it refers to officially releasing a member of the clergy from their religious duties and status.)

Advanced Usage

• "Laicization" (noun): The process or result of making something secular.
  • The laicization of the state was a major goal of the reform movement.
• Used in historical, political, and religious contexts to describe the secularization of institutions, functions, or roles.

Variants and Related Words

• Laicise: British English spelling variant of "laicize."
• Secularize: A close synonym, meaning to convert from religious to secular possession or use.
• Deconsecrate: To remove the sacred character from (e.g., a church building); a more specific term often used for physical spaces or objects.

Synonyms

• Secularize: To make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection.
• Declericalize: To remove clerical influence or control from.

Antonyms

• Consecrate: To make or declare sacred.
• Clericalize: To bring under clerical influence or control.

Verb

1. reduce to lay status
   • laicize the parochial schools