I. ˈse-kyə-lər adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French seculer, from Late Latin saecularis, from saeculum the present world, from Latin, generation, age, century, world; akin to Welsh hoedl lifetime
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : of or relating to the worldly or temporal
secular concerns
b. : not overtly or specifically religious
secular music
c. : not ecclesiastical or clerical
secular courts
secular landowners
2. : not bound by monastic vows or rules ; specifically : of, relating to, or forming clergy not belonging to a religious order or congregation
a secular 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
secular inflation
• sec·u·lar·i·ty ˌse-kyə-ˈla-rə-tē noun
• sec·u·lar·ly ˈse-kyə-lər-lē adverb
II. noun
( plural seculars or secular )
Date: 14th century
1. : a secular ecclesiastic (as a diocesan priest)
2. : layman