■ noun
1》 a building used for public Christian worship.
2》 ( Church ) a particular Christian organization with its own distinctive doctrines.
3》 institutionalized religion as a political or social force: the separation of ~ and state.
■ verb archaic take (a woman who has recently given birth) to ~ for a service of thanksgiving.
Phrases
the Church Militant the body of living Christian believers, regarded as striving to combat evil on earth (contrasted with the Church Triumphant in heaven).
Origin
OE cir(i)ce , cyr(i)ce , based on med. Gk kurikon , from Gk kuriakon (dōma) 'Lord's (house)', from kurios 'master or lord'.