CHURCH

noun a jewish or heathen temple.

2. church ·noun the collective body of christians.

3. church ·noun a building set apart for christian worship.

4. church ·noun any body of worshipers; as, the jewish church; the church of brahm.

5. church ·noun a formally organized body of christian believers worshiping together.

6. church ·noun the aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, ·etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.

7. church ·vt to bless according to a prescribed form, or to unite with in publicly returning thanks in church, as after deliverance from the dangers of childbirth; as, the churching of women.

8. church ·noun a body of christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the roman catholic church; the presbyterian church.