CHURCH


Meaning of CHURCH in English

I. ˈchərch noun

Etymology: Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit śūra hero, warrior

Date: before 12th century

1. : a building for public and especially Christian worship

2. : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body

3. often capitalized : a body or organization of religious believers: as

a. : the whole body of Christians

b. : denomination

the Presbyterian church

c. : congregation

4. : a public divine worship

goes to church every Sunday

5. : the clerical profession

considered the church as a possible career

II. adjective

Date: before 12th century

1. : of or relating to a church

church government

2. chiefly British : of or relating to the established church

III. transitive verb

Date: 14th century

: to bring to church to receive one of its rites

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.