GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Secular , a. [OE. secular, seculer. L. saecularis, fr. saeculum a race, generation, age, the times, the world; perhaps akin to E. soul: cf. F. séculier.]
   Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
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   The secular year was kept but once a century.
   Addison.
   
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   Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period of time; accomplished in a long progress of time; as, secular inequality; the secular refrigeration of the globe.
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   Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly.
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   New foes arise,
   Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains.
   Milton.
   
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   (Eccl.) Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community; as, a secular priest.
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   He tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for morals, both in the religious orders and the secular clergy.
   Prescott.
   
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   Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical.
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   I speak of folk in secular estate.
   Chaucer.
   
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   Secular equation (Astron.), the algebraic or numerical expression of the magnitude of the inequalities in a planet's motion that remain after the inequalities of a short period have been allowed for. -- Secular games (Rom. Antiq.), games celebrated, at long but irregular intervals, for three days and nights, with sacrifices, theatrical shows, combats, sports, and the like. -- Secular music, any music or songs not adapted to sacred uses. -- Secular hymn or Secular poem, a hymn or poem composed for the secular games, or sung or rehearsed at those games.
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2.       
   Secular, n.
   (Eccl.) A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
   Burke.
   
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   (Eccl.) A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
   Busby.
   
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   A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
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