churchling

English

Etymology

From church +‎ -ling.

Noun

churchling (plural churchlings)

1. A church-goer.
   • 1956, David Wesley Soper, Epistle to the skeptics:

     Neither worldling nor churchling privately possesses his love. The churchling, in prayer and praise, is or ought to be alert to the divine summons as the worldling is not; in race relations and common justice it is sometimes the other way around.

2. (sometimes diminutive) A mere churchman.
   • 1903, The Independent:

     " [...] And," he added, "it transforms a churchling into a Christian to come into contact with the Pope."

   • 1904, Charles Lamb, Alfred Ainger, The letters of Charles Lamb:

     You do not tell me of those romantic land bays that be as thou goest to Lover's Seat: neither of that little churchling in the midst of a wood (in the opposite direction, nine furlongs from the town), that seems dropped by the Angel [...]

3. (derogatory) A bigoted churchman.
   • 2012, Elspeth Cooper, Songs of the Earth:

     'I thought you were going to show us some swordcraft, churchling, not dance steps.' Arlin's tone was mocking. 'Sorry, I mistook you for a girl.'

Related terms

• worldling