Words / C2

LAY-uh-tee/ˈleɪəti/

The laity are ordinary people as distinct from the clergy, and, by extension, non-specialists in a field: the laity of the parish, explain it to the laity. Clergy (already in the dictionary) is the ordained group; a layman (this batch) is one non-expert. Parochial (already in the dictionary) is of a parish, or narrow in outlook — the mix-up of church words. Senate still needs a named warden.

Meaning

Ordinary people as distinct from the clergy; also non-specialists in a profession (the laity).

Examples

• “The laity on Senate still have to name the fire warden.”
• “Clergy is the ordained group (already in B2). A layman is one non-expert (this batch). Parochial is of a parish or narrow (already in C2). Plain speech to non-specialists can be exact. A committee that never names the night post is a hole. Write the rota; then the pews.”

Good to know

Lay people; non-clergy. Everyday: ordinary members. Close: layman (this batch). Contrast: clergy (already in B2); parochial (parish / narrow — already in C2). A committee is not a warden.

Near in meaning

lay people, congregation, non-specialists, parishioners

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