[sec.u.lar] adj [ME, fr. OF seculer, fr. LL saecularis, fr. saeculum the present world, fr. L, generation, age, century, world; akin to W hoedl lifetime] (14c) 1 a: of or relating to the worldly or temporal "~ concerns" b: not overtly or specif. religious "~ music" c: not ecclesiastical or clerical "~ courts" "~ landowners"
2: not bound by monastic vows or rules; specif: of, relating to, or forming clergy not belonging to a religious order or congregation "a ~ priest" 3 a: occurring once in an age or a century b: existing or continuing through ages or centuries c: of or relating to a long term of indefinite duration -- sec.u.lar.i.ty n -- sec.u.lar.ly adv
[2]secular n, pl seculars or secular (14c) 1: a secular ecclesiastic (as a diocesan priest)
2: layman