From Middle English chirche, from Old English ċiriċe (“church”), from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā, an early borrowing of Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón), neuter form of κυριακός (kuriakós, “belonging to the lord”), from κύριος (kúrios, “ruler, lord”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (“to swell, spread out, be strong, prevail”). Doublet of kirk.
Additional etymological information
For vowel evolution, see bury. Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón) was used of houses of Christian worship since circa 300 CE, especially in the East, though it was less common in this sense than ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, “congregation”) or βασιλική (basilikḗ, “royal thing”). An example of the direct Greek-to-Germanic progress of many Christian words, possibly via the Goths; it was probably used by West Germanic people in their pre-Christian period. Cognate with Scots kirk (“church”), West Frisian tsjerke (“church”), Saterland Frisian Säärke (“church”), Dutch kerk (“church”), German Kirche (“church”), Danish kirke (“church”), Swedish kyrka (“church”), Norwegian Bokmål kirke, Norwegian Nynorsk kyrkje (“church”), and Faroese and Icelandic kirkja (“church”). Also picked up by Slavic, via Old High German chirihha (compare Old Church Slavonic црькꙑ (crĭky), Bulgarian църква (cărkva), Russian це́рковь (cérkovʹ)). Romance and Celtic languages use descendants of Latin ecclēsia.
From Middle English chirche, from Old English ċiriċe (“church”), from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā, an early borrowing of Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón), neuter form of κυριακός (kuriakós, “belonging to the lord”), from κύριος (kúrios, “ruler, lord”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (“to swell, spread out, be strong, prevail”). Doublet of kirk.
Additional etymological information
For vowel evolution, see bury. Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón) was used of houses of Christian worship since circa 300 CE, especially in the East, though it was less common in this sense than ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, “congregation”) or βασιλική (basilikḗ, “royal thing”). An example of the direct Greek-to-Germanic progress of many Christian words, possibly via the Goths; it was probably used by West Germanic people in their pre-Christian period. Cognate with Scots kirk (“church”), West Frisian tsjerke (“church”), Saterland Frisian Säärke (“church”), Dutch kerk (“church”), German Kirche (“church”), Danish kirke (“church”), Swedish kyrka (“church”), Norwegian Bokmål kirke, Norwegian Nynorsk kyrkje (“church”), and Faroese and Icelandic kirkja (“church”). Also picked up by Slavic, via Old High German chirihha (compare Old Church Slavonic црькꙑ (crĭky), Bulgarian църква (cărkva), Russian це́рковь (cérkovʹ)). Romance and Celtic languages use descendants of Latin ecclēsia.
Meanings
(countable) A Christian house of worship; a building where Christian religious services take place.
There is a lovely little church in the valley.
This building used to be a church before being converted into a library.
Most are descended from low-caste Hindus who converted in the 19th century, when many of the country’s hundred or so British colonial-era churches were built. […] Built in the shape of a cross, the pink-brick-and-sandstone church soars above Mall Road, the city’s main thoroughfare. 2018 March 19, Isambard Wilkinson, “The crumbling colonial-era churches of Pakistan”, in CNN, archived from the original on 17 Feb 2020:
He got the message and was in church the next Sunday. We need to stay in church with the fellowship of others in order to keep the fire of faith burning brightly. 2007, John R. Dodd, Bucky and Friends, page 117:
(countable, uncountable) Christians collectively seen as a single spiritual community; Christianity; Christendom.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28, New International Version
These worshippers make up the Church of Christ.
(countable) A local group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs, local or general.
As they actively get involved in ministry, lay ministry becomes vigorous, and new believers will settle in church with more ease. 2008, Yil Gyoung Kang, Enhancing understanding the church through preaching on ..., page 61:
she had very many adults in church with whom she could talk about issues in life. 2009, Christian Smith with Patricia Snell, Souls in Transition, page 194:
He got the message and was in church the next Sunday. We need to stay in church with the fellowship of others in order to keep the fire of faith burning brightly. 2007, John R. Dodd, Bucky and Friends, page 117:
Ruthie had left the church disappointed , reluctant to give up the idea that she was chosen by God to become a saint . But within a month she had sinned by lying , masturbating , and coveting Sarah 130 • Beu Marshall. 2004, Bev Marshall, Right as Rain, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 130:
Many young people find their only role models of family life in church. 2007, Bill Gibson, The Ultimate Church Sound Operator's Handbook, page 78:
(countable) A particular denomination of Christianity.
The Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.
(as bare noun, countable, uncountable) Christian worship held at a church; service.
Some people are always saying, "Oh, you have too much church." You never get too much church. I go to church every day. 2000, Lee Roberson, Disturbing Questions...: Solid Answers, page 174:
Pastors complained that they were not allowed enough authority in church, with women exercising too much informal control. 1997, Paul Harvey, Redeeming the South: Religious Cultures and Racial Identities ..., page 119:
the learned women will be qualified to lead in church with equal grace and equal insight and equal gifts. 2003, George Shillington, On a Journey with God: You Come Too, page 53:
(uncountable) Organized religion in general or a specific religion considered as a political institution.
But in Muslim countries, Church and State are one indissolubly, and until the very essence of Islam passes away, that unity cannot be relaxed. The law of the land, too, is, in theory, the law of the Church. 1903, Duncan Black MacDonald, Development of Muslim Theology, Jurisprudence and Constitutional Theory, page 4:
The church was tighening up on matters sexual. Until the middle of the tenth century it had been quite routine for priests to be married. 1999, Robert Lacey, Danny Danziger, The Year 1000: What life was like at the turn of The First Millennium, London: Abacus, published 2000, page 169:
The secular absolutist model is based on a strict separation between church and state. 2001, Ayelet Shachar, Multicultural Jurisdictions: Cultural Differences and Women's Rights, page 72:
Many constitutions enshrine the separation of church and state.
Because the pan-Buddhist movement was heavily supported by the Japanese in Inner Mongolia, the Buddhist church, already under attack by Soviet-backed antireligion campaigns in Outer Mongolia, was further damaged […] 1991, Cyril E. Black et al., The Modernization of Inner Asia, page 15:
(countable, informal, uncountable) Any religious group or place of worship; a temple.
Among these, the church must investigate fundemental questions, […] 2007, Scott A. Merriman, Religion and the Law in America, page 313:
mi whare karakia (house of worship) · yue 教會 /教会 (a religious organization) · af kerk (a religious organization) · id gereja (a religious organization) · hrx Kerrich (house of worship) · rup bisearicã (house of worship) · fr culte (worship service) · fi seurakunta (a religious organization) · is kirkja (house of worship) · sco kirk (house of worship) · nn kyrkje (house of worship) · eo eklezio (a religious organization) · zh 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · ga eaglais (a religious organization) · oc gleisa (house of worship) · ar بِيعَة (house of worship) · ar كَنَائِس (house of worship) · ug ئىبادەتخانا (house of worship) · esu agayuvik (house of worship) · dsb cerkwja (house of worship) · lou légliz (house of worship) · ru це́рковь (a religious organization) · sm falesā (house of worship) · ur چَرْچ (house of worship) · pap misa (house of worship) · fo kirkja (house of worship) · mel gerija (house of worship) · hu templom (house of worship) · hi गिरजा (house of worship) · tet uma kreda (house of worship) · ceb simbahan (house of worship) · eo preĝejo (house of worship) · rm baselgia (house of worship) · sga tempul (house of worship) · chr ᏗᎦᎳᏫᏍᏗᎢ (a religious organization) · orv божьница (house of worship) · nci teōpan (house of worship) · hu egyház (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · yi טומאה (house of worship) · lad klisia (house of worship) · frp églésé (house of worship) · mt Knisja (a religious organization) · pms gesia (house of worship) · fur glesie (house of worship) · wa eglijhe (a religious organization) · yi צערקווע (house of worship) · tk buthana (house of worship) · ar كنيسة (a religious organization) · zh 教會 /教会 (a religious organization) · hy եկեղեցի (house of worship) · sc cresia (house of worship) · ti ቅዳሴ (house of worship) · ceb iglesya (house of worship) · ro serviciu religios (worship service) · de Chilche (house of worship) · ja 聖堂 (house of worship) · nci teōpancalli (house of worship) · fr église (a religious organization) · he כְּנֵסִיָּה (a religious organization) · pox carťai (house of worship) · oj anami'aawin (a religious organization) · de Gottesdienst (worship service) · pl msza (worship service) · krc килиса (house of worship) · kju ʔaya·yo hca (house of worship) · gu ચર્ચ (house of worship) · lg kanisa (house of worship) · sk cirkev (a religious organization) · ast messe (worship service) · az kilsə (house of worship) · fi jumalanpalvelus (worship service) · tpw tupãoka (house of worship) · ja 教会堂 (house of worship) · eo eklezio (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · uk це́рква (a religious organization) · br iliz (house of worship) · ro ceremonie religioasă (worship service) · bg църква (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · ba сиркәү (house of worship) · ja 教会 (house of worship) · hi गिर्जा (house of worship) · th โบสถ์คริสต์ (house of worship) · lij geija (house of worship) · se kirku (house of worship) · rsk церква (house of worship) · ml പള്ളി (house of worship) · ha coci (house of worship) · af kerk (house of worship) · pt igreja (a religious organization) · eo diservo (worship service) · de Kirche (worship service) · haw hale pule (house of worship) · kmr xaçxane (house of worship) · nn gudstenest (worship service) · sw kanisa (house of worship) · udm черк (a religious organization) · et kirik (house of worship) · frr schörk (house of worship) · ko 교회 (house of worship) · xmf ოხვამე (house of worship) · pms cesa (house of worship) · nrf eglyiz (house of worship) · sh богослужење (worship service) · ar كَنِيسَة (a religious organization) · uk костьо́л (house of worship) · uli halesiyae (house of worship) · tl iglesya (house of worship) · kmr dêr (house of worship) · cs cerkev (house of worship) · ar كنيسة (house of worship) · km វិហារ (house of worship) · ja 礼拝 (worship service) · mt tempju (house of worship) · it chiesa (house of worship) · dlm basalca (house of worship) · el λειτουργία (worship service) · yrl tupauku (house of worship) · tr kilise (worship service) · sva ლაჴუ̂ამ (house of worship) · da kirke (a religious organization) · sk bohoslužba (worship service) · ps کليسا (house of worship) · sk kostol (house of worship) · bg църко́вна слу́жба (worship service) · ale chiirkvax̂ (a religious organization) · xnb tasʉʼʉva (house of worship) · nrf êglyise (house of worship) · hu egyház (a religious organization) · lez клиса (house of worship) · tr kilise (house of worship) · twf mę̀sotuʼúna (house of worship) · bg богослужение (worship service) · hu istentisztelet (worship service) · ga teach pobail (house of worship) · enm chirche (house of worship) · ota كلیسا (house of worship) · tg калисо (house of worship) · mk богослужба (worship service) · af kerk (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · uz butxona (house of worship) · ja 教会 (a religious organization) · zh сы (house of worship) · nb gudstjeneste (worship service) · sdn ghjesgia (house of worship) · hi गिरजाघर (house of worship) · rap hare pure (house of worship) · mrj церкӹ (house of worship) · nb kirke (house of worship) · sh crkva (a religious organization) · sh миса (worship service) · de Messe (worship service) · mn сүм (house of worship) · sah таҥара дьиэтэ (a religious organization) · sw kanisa (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · jje 성당 (house of worship) · enm chirche (a religious organization) · pam pisamban (house of worship) · ale chiirkax̂ (house of worship) · si පල්ලිය (house of worship) · lad eglisia (house of worship) · cs kostel (house of worship) · za gyauvei (house of worship) · got 𐌰𐌹𐌺𐌺𐌻𐌴𐍃𐌾𐍉 (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · sh цр̑ква (house of worship) · vi giáo hội (a religious organization) · kok इगर्जे (house of worship) · hu szertartás (worship service) · pdt Kjoakj (house of worship) · tpi sios (house of worship) · rcf légliz (house of worship) · rup bãsearicã (house of worship) · crh kilse (house of worship) · lou légliz (a religious organization) · sga eclais (house of worship) · st kereke (house of worship) · fo gudstænasta (worship service) · cy eglwys (house of worship) · sl cerkev (house of worship) · khb ᦷᦣᧂᦉᦳᧆᧈ (house of worship) · sco kirk (a religious organization) · dsb cerkwja (a religious organization) · alt серкве (house of worship) · mfe legliz (house of worship) · mr चर्च (house of worship) · zh 教會 /教会 (a religious organization) · aii ܥܹܕܬܵܐ (house of worship) · clt biena-ing (house of worship) · hi कलीसा (house of worship) · ru богослуже́ние (worship service) · ab ауахәа́ма (house of worship) · aii ܥܘܼܡܪܵܐ (house of worship) · lt bažnyčia (house of worship) · pl kościół (house of worship) · lil lamcalálhcw (house of worship) · ivb timban (house of worship) · pt culto (worship service) · cdo 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · fa کِلیسا (house of worship) · yue 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · scn cresia (house of worship) · chr ᏗᎦᎳᏫᏍᏗᎢ (house of worship) · ar كنايس (house of worship) · koi вичку (house of worship) · wuu 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · mk литургија (worship service) · cs mše (worship service) · wa eglijhe (house of worship) · es servicio religioso (worship service) · ko 례배 (worship service) · ckb کەنیسە (house of worship) · ruq bisearică (house of worship) · de Chile (house of worship) · th คริสตจักร (a religious organization) · tt чиркәу (house of worship) · wa gléjhe (house of worship) · ka ეკლესია (a religious organization) · ru ме́сса (worship service) · lv baznīca (house of worship) · cop ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ (house of worship) · is kirkja (worship service) · io eklezio (a religious organization) · gl igrexa (house of worship) · tyv дуган (house of worship) · lzz ოხვამბე (house of worship) · tli x̱ʼagáaxʼ daakahídi (house of worship) · vec céxa (house of worship) · fr misse (worship service) · rue косто́л (house of worship) · pl cerkiew (house of worship) · eo meso (worship service) · kl oqaluffik (house of worship) · ur گِرْجا (house of worship) · vec cexa (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · gd eaglais (a religious organization) · zh мё (house of worship) · eu elizkizun (worship service) · el ναός (house of worship) · scn chesia (house of worship) · yi תּיפֿלה (house of worship) · ce килс (house of worship) · to siasi (house of worship) · bg цъ́рква (house of worship) · kn ಚರ್ಚು (house of worship) · uk це́рква (house of worship) · id Misa (worship service) · ko 교회 (worship service) · dar киласа (house of worship) · zh 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · ka ეკლესია (house of worship) · udi ҝерҝецӏ (house of worship) · ug چېركاۋ (house of worship) · ny tchalitchi (house of worship) · sah таҥара дьиэтэ (house of worship) · vec céxa (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · ar كنايس (a religious organization) · it funzione (worship service) · km វិហារគ្រិស្ត (house of worship) · ml സഭ (a religious organization) · ms kanisah (house of worship) · el εκκλησία (a religious organization) · gur wẽndeem (house of worship) · it messa (worship service) · scn chiesia (house of worship) · nrf êglyîthe (house of worship) · lzz ოხვამე (house of worship) · yi קירך (house of worship) · ko 예배당 (house of worship) · kw eglos (house of worship) · cy bangeibr (house of worship) · tkl falehā (house of worship) · ga teampall (house of worship) · ast ilesia (house of worship) · ru це́рковь (house of worship) · fo messa (worship service) · ko 예배 (worship service) · hak 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · av килиса (house of worship) · is guðsþjónusta (worship service) · hsb cyrkej (house of worship) · ky чиркөө (house of worship) · eo kirko (house of worship) · ms kelisa (house of worship) · ko 례배당 (house of worship) · ko 교회 (a religious organization) · am ደብር (house of worship) · ro slujbă (religioasă) (worship service) · arc ܥܕܬܐ (house of worship) · pot nëm'éwgëmêk (house of worship) · ja 教会 (worship service) · vec cexa (house of worship) · da kirke (house of worship) · cs církev (a religious organization) · lb Kierch (house of worship) · hi चर्च (house of worship) · la ecclesia (house of worship) · ar كنيسة (house of worship) · nrf égllise (house of worship) · fi kirkko (worship service) · csb kòscół (house of worship) · fo kirkja (a religious organization) · bg цъ́рква (a religious organization) · sje girrko (house of worship) · pa ਗਿਰਜਾ (house of worship) · ar كَنَائِس (a religious organization) · es culto (worship service) · fi kirkko (house of worship) · es iglesia (house of worship) · zh 禮拜 /礼拜 (worship service) · zlw-ocs crkev (house of worship) · mhr черке (house of worship) · sh cȓkva (house of worship) · lv baznīca (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · gd eaglais (house of worship) · apw kįh biyiʼ daʼchʼokąąhí (house of worship) · pl nabożeństwo (worship service) · udm черк (house of worship) · co ghjesgia (house of worship) · enm chirche (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · ro biserică (house of worship) · kmr kenîse (house of worship) · qu iñi wasi (house of worship) · rom khangeri (house of worship) · nb kirke (a religious organization) · lmo giesa (house of worship) · grc ἐκκλησία (a religious organization) · mt funzjoni (worship service) · tl simbahan (house of worship) · sl Cerkev (a religious organization) · id gereja (house of worship) · roa-opt igreja (house of worship) · hu egyházközösség (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · mk црква (house of worship) · szl kośćůł (house of worship) · vec mesa (worship service) · ps کنيسه (house of worship) · xal чонҗ (house of worship) · str DIU¸I¸EȽÁU¸TW̱ (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · lmo gesa (house of worship) · ist cesa (house of worship) · uz cherkov (house of worship) · sh bogosluženje (worship service) · sh литургија (worship service) · gur eklesia (a religious organization) · kk шіркеу (house of worship) · ko 성당 (house of worship) · se girku (house of worship) · wal woosa keettaa (house of worship) · so kiniisad (house of worship) · ml ദേവാലയം (house of worship) · ru це́рковь (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · ang ċiriċe (house of worship) · be царква́ (house of worship) · niu ekalesia (a religious organization) · nup cócì (house of worship) · sq kishë (house of worship) · nds kark (house of worship) · mos wẽn-doogo (house of worship) · frr Sērk (house of worship) · sk omša (worship service) · lv dievkalpojums (worship service) · ti ቤተ ክርስትያን (house of worship) · krc клиса (house of worship) · tl misa (worship service) · ga eaglais (house of worship) · pt igreja (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · sw kanisa (a religious organization) · sl liturgija (worship service) · yi קלויסטער (house of worship) · ca església (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · vi nhà thờ (house of worship) · stq Säärke (house of worship) · gur yɩndeem (house of worship) · pl liturgia (worship service) · de Kirche (a religious organization) · ta தேவாலயம் (house of worship) · lo ໂບດ (house of worship) · lt bažnyčia (a religious organization) · hu gyülekezet (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · ur کَلِیسا (house of worship) · nl kerk (a religious organization) · frr Kark (house of worship) · mt quddiesa (worship service) · cy llan (house of worship) · nn kyrkje (a religious organization) · fo kirkjugongd (worship service) · mt knisja (house of worship) · mg fiangonana (house of worship) · grc κυριακόν (house of worship) · mzs greza (house of worship) · mhn kirch (house of worship) · aii ܥܹܕܬܵܐ (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · jv ꦒꦿꦺꦗ (house of worship) · sv kyrka (house of worship) · sv kyrka (a religious organization) · pap iglesia (house of worship) · nl kerkdienst (worship service) · is messa (worship service) · pt igreja (house of worship) · mk црква (a religious organization) · sm 'ekālēsia (a religious organization) · el εκκλησία (house of worship) · ia ecclesia (house of worship) · got 𐌰𐌹𐌺𐌺𐌻𐌴𐍃𐌾𐍉 (a religious organization) · is kirkjan) (a religious organization) · it Chiesa (a religious organization) · aii ܥܹܕܬܵܐ (a religious organization) · yue 教堂 (house of worship) · oj anami'aawin (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · sl maša (worship service) · fa کَلِیسَا (house of worship) · zh 教堂 (house of worship) · fy tsjerke (house of worship) · ar كنيسة (house of worship) · es iglesia (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · my အသင်းတော်ကို (house of worship) · tk buthaana (house of worship) · hu mise (worship service) · frr sark (house of worship) · bn গির্জা (house of worship) · rue це́рьков (house of worship) · rue косте́л (house of worship) · bg че́рква (house of worship) · ca església (house of worship) · tum chalichi (house of worship) · gu દેવળ (house of worship) · vo glüg (house of worship) · nn gudsteneste (worship service) · str DIU¸I¸EȽÁU¸TW̱ (worship service) · fr église (house of worship) · io kirko (house of worship) · cs chrám (house of worship) · be касцёл (house of worship) · mi hāhi (a religious organization) · nl kerk (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · fi kirkko (a religious organization) · ro biserică (a religious organization) · ne गिर्जाघर (house of worship) · pl zbór (house of worship) · myv озномакудо (house of worship) · tr kilise (a religious organization) · ur کَنِیسَہ (house of worship) · et kirik (a religious organization) · yo ṣọ́ọ̀ṣì (house of worship) · cs bohoslužba (worship service) · te చర్చి (house of worship) · ar كَنِيسَة (house of worship) · yo ìjọ (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · gv keeill (house of worship) · non kirkja (house of worship) · my အသင်းတော် (a religious organization) · tl simbahan (a religious organization) · af kerkdiens (worship service) · ms gereja (house of worship) · sms ceerkav (house of worship) · eu eliza (a religious organization) · ca església (a religious organization) · sh misa (worship service) · acy knise (house of worship) · de Kìrech (house of worship) · fi kirkko (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · os аргъуан (house of worship) · mnp 教會 /教会 (house of worship) · hi गिर्जाघर (house of worship) · es iglesia (a religious organization) · pa گرجا (house of worship) · pl kościół (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · sah сиэркэп (house of worship) · sh liturgija (worship service) · ru ки́рха (house of worship) · nl kerk (house of worship) · str DIU¸I¸EȽÁU¸TW̱ (house of worship) · eu eliza (house of worship) · oj anama'ewigamig (house of worship) · bg литурги́я (worship service) · grc ἐκκλησία (house of worship) · pt templo (house of worship) · th โบสถ์ (house of worship) · ru костёл (house of worship) · pt missa (worship service) · es misa (worship service) · tr cemaat (a group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs) · cv чиркӳ (house of worship) · nv ééʼneishoodii bikin (house of worship) · ckb کڵێسا (house of worship) · hi कलीसिया (house of worship) · de Kirche (house of worship) · lld dlieja (house of worship) · sh црква (a religious organization) · he כְּנֵסִיָּה (house of worship) · zh 教堂 (house of worship) · kw eglos (a religious organization) · sah сиэркэп (a religious organization) · cu црькꙑ (house of worship) · ru це́рква (house of worship) · jra sang jơnum (house of worship) · ht legliz (house of worship) · yo ilé-ìjọ́sìn (house of worship) · am ቤተ፡ክርስቲያን (house of worship) · sd ديوَلِ (house of worship) · ne चर्च (house of worship)
From Middle English chirche, from Old English ċiriċe (“church”), from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā, an early borrowing of Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón), neuter form of κυριακός (kuriakós, “belonging to the lord”), from κύριος (kúrios, “ruler, lord”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (“to swell, spread out, be strong, prevail”). Doublet of kirk.
Additional etymological information
For vowel evolution, see bury. Ancient Greek κυριακόν (kuriakón) was used of houses of Christian worship since circa 300 CE, especially in the East, though it was less common in this sense than ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, “congregation”) or βασιλική (basilikḗ, “royal thing”). An example of the direct Greek-to-Germanic progress of many Christian words, possibly via the Goths; it was probably used by West Germanic people in their pre-Christian period. Cognate with Scots kirk (“church”), West Frisian tsjerke (“church”), Saterland Frisian Säärke (“church”), Dutch kerk (“church”), German Kirche (“church”), Danish kirke (“church”), Swedish kyrka (“church”), Norwegian Bokmål kirke, Norwegian Nynorsk kyrkje (“church”), and Faroese and Icelandic kirkja (“church”). Also picked up by Slavic, via Old High German chirihha (compare Old Church Slavonic црькꙑ (crĭky), Bulgarian църква (cărkva), Russian це́рковь (cérkovʹ)). Romance and Celtic languages use descendants of Latin ecclēsia.
Meanings
(historical, transitive) To conduct a religious service for (a woman after childbirth, or a newly married couple).
Nor did it [the Church] accept that the woman should stay indoors until she had been churched. 1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 36:
Thenne after this lady was delyuerd and chirched / there came a knyghte vnto her / his name was sire Bromel la pleche / the whiche was a grete lord and he hadde loued that lady longe / and he euermore desyred her to wedde her / and soo by no meane she coude putte hym of 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “Tercium”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XI:
(transitive) To educate someone religiously, as in a church.
“we’re mighty glad to have you all here. Don’t pay no ‘tention to Lula, she’s contentious because Reverend Sykes threatened to church her. She’s a troublemaker from way back, got fancy ideas an’ haughty ways—we’re mighty glad to have you all.” 1960 July 11, Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
chuhch
alternative, pronunciation-spelling
lexicographic
chuuch
alternative
lexicographic
churched
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
churched
Tense=Past
lexicographic
churche
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
chirche
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
churches
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
chu'ch
alternative
lexicographic
churching
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
Translations (2)
sv kyrktaga (conduct service after childbirth) · sv kyrkta (conduct service after childbirth)