Laical
/ˈleɪ.ɪ.kəl/noun
Relating to laypeople or to the non-clerical sphere, especially within a church.
Did you know?The word preserves an old institutional divide: Greek laikos originally described people outside the clergy, not necessarily anything anti-religious or irreverent.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
λαϊκός (laïkós)
“Of the people; belonging to the common people”
Late Antiquity
Greek
λαϊκός (laïkós)
“Lay or non-clerical, especially in contrast with ordained church officials”
4th–5th Century
Latin
laicus
“Lay; belonging to the ordinary Christian faithful”
Old French
Old French
lai / laïque
“Lay or secular, not belonging to the clergy”
Middle English
Middle English
laik / lay
“A non-cleric or something outside ecclesiastical office”
Modern English
English
laical
“Relating to laypeople or the non-clerical sphere”