English Explanatory Dictionary

laity

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. People of a church who are not ordained clergy or clerics.
  2. The common man or woman.
  3. The unlearned, untrained or ignorant.

Pronunciation

/ˈleɪ.ə.ti/ /ˈleɪ.ɪ.ti/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-laity.wav

Word forms

laity laities

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman laite, from Latin laitas, from Ancient Greek λαός (laós, “people”).

Synonyms

congregation flock fold laity

Antonyms

clergy

Related words

lay layman
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