[church] n [ME chirche, fr. OE cirice, ultim. fr. LGk kyriakon, fr. Gk, neut. of kyriakos of the lord, fr. kyrios lord, master; akin to Skt sura hero, warrior] (bef. 12c) 1: a building for public and esp. Christian worship
2: the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3: a body or organization of religious believers: as a: the whole body of Christians b: denomination c: congregation
4: a public divine worship "goes to ~ every Sunday"
5: the clerical profession "considered the ~ as a possible career"
[2]church adj (bef. 12c) 1: of or relating to a church "~ government"
2. chiefly Brit: of or relating to the established church [3]church vt (14c): to bring to church to receive one of its rites