tʃə:tʃ n. & v. --n. 1 a
building for public (usu. Christian)
worship. 2 a
meeting for public worship in
such a building (go to church; met
after church). 3 (Church)
the body of
all Christians. 4 (Church) the
clergy or
clerical profession (went
into the Church). 5 (Church) an organized
Christian group or
society of
any time,
country, or
distinct principles of worship (the
primitive Church; Church of Scotland;
High Church). 6 (Church) institutionalized
religion as a
political or
social force (Church
and State). --v.tr.
bring (esp. a
woman after childbirth) to church for a service of
thanksgiving. øChurch
Army an
organization of the Church of England
concerned with social
welfare. Church Commissioners a body
managing the finances of the Church of England. Church of England the
English Church, recognized by the
State and having the
sovereign as
its head. church school a school founded by or associated with the Church of England. [OE cirice, circe, etc. f.
med. Gk kurikon f. Gk kuriakon (doma) Lord's (house) f. kurios
Lord:
cf. KIRK]
