Laic
/ˈleɪ.ɪk/noun
Relating to ordinary people rather than clergy; lay, secular.
Did you know?*Laic* comes from Greek *laikos*, “of the people,” from *laos* meaning “people” — the same ancient root behind *laity*, and originally it marked the line between the initiated clergy and everyone else.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leh₂-
“to gather, collect, or assemble”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λαός (laos)
“the people, the common folk”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λαϊκός (laïkos)
“of the people; lay, non-priestly”
Late Latin
Latin
laicus
“lay, not clerical”
Old French
Old French
lai
“lay, secular”
Middle English
English
laik / laic
“lay; secular; not clerical”