laity

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin laitas, from Ancient Greek λαός (laos), “‘people’”)

lay + -ity

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈleɪ.ɪ.ti/, SAMPA: /"leI.I.ti/
• Rhymes: -eɪɪti

[edit] Noun

laity (plural laities)

1. people, people of a church who are not ordained clergy or clerics.
2. the common man or woman
3. the unlearned, untrained or ignorant as in "The Layman's Guide to Basket Weaving"

[edit] Related terms

• lay
• layman