LAITY Meaning and
Definition
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Laity refers to the ordinary members or laypeople who belong to a religious community, typically in contrast to the clergy or ordained ministers. The term originated from the Latin word "laicus," meaning "of the people" or "belonging to the people." It represents the collective body of individuals who are not part of the professional clergy but still participate actively in religious worship, community activities, and organizations.
In various religious traditions, laity is seen as distinct from clergy because they do not have specific religious roles or duties that are professionally ordained or specialized. Instead, they are considered members of the congregation or religious community who contribute to the worship, teachings, outreach, and other aspects of their faith. They are often involved in supporting the clergy, assisting in religious ceremonies, and participating in various administrative and grassroots activities within the religious organization.
Furthermore, being part of the laity does not necessarily mean a lack of religious knowledge or commitment. Many laypeople actively seek religious education, engage in spiritual practices, and develop their own understanding and interpretation of their faith. Laity can hold important positions within religious communities and contribute significantly to the growth and vitality of the faith.
The concept of laity serves to emphasize that religious communities consist of a diverse group of individuals, including both clergy and non-clergy members, with different roles, responsibilities, and levels of involvement. It highlights the participation and engagement of ordinary believers, recognizing their significance in shaping and sustaining the religious traditions they belong to.
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Non-professional people, in relation to the special profession-whether theology, law, or medicine to which reference is made.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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• The people; not the clergy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for LAITY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for LAITY
Etymology of LAITY
The word "laity" comes from the Old French "laïté", which derives from the Latin "laicus", meaning "of the people" or "of the laity". The Latin term is derived from the Greek word "laikos", which translates to "of the common people". In early Christian usage, "laity" referred to individuals who were not part of the clergy or ordained religious officials. Over time, the word extended its meaning to encompass non-professional or non-expert individuals in any field outside of religious contexts.
Similar spelling words for LAITY
- later,
- lady,
- Laday,
- latta,
- lathe,
- -let,
- Latia,
- lauth,
- layette,
- lad,
- lahti,
- lid,
- liter,
- daily,
- layout,
- lot,
- lath,
- lathi,
- Latoyia,
- last,
- Alit,
- let,
- lit,
- Latoya,
- latin,
- laid,
- lay out,
- late,
- lat,
- -ity,
- lair,
- Lattea,
- lathee,
- lay,
- latte.
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