Churchmen: meaning, definitions and examples
⛪
churchmen
[ ˈʧɜːrʧmən ]
religious figures
Churchmen are typically male clergy members of a church or religious organization. They may hold various positions, such as priests or bishops, and are often involved in the spiritual and administrative aspects of the church community.
Synonyms
bishops, church leaders, clergy, ministers, pastors.
Examples of usage
- The churchmen gathered for the annual conference.
- Many churchmen dedicate their lives to service and outreach.
- Prominent churchmen often influence public policy.
Translations
Translations of the word "churchmen" in other languages:
🇵🇹 clérigos
🇮🇳 पादरी
🇩🇪 Kirchenmänner
🇮🇩 pemuka gereja
🇺🇦 церковники
🇵🇱 duchowni
🇯🇵 教会の人々
🇫🇷 ecclésiastiques
🇪🇸 clérigos
🇹🇷 kilise adamları
🇰🇷 교회 사람들
🇸🇦 رجال الدين
🇨🇿 církevní muži
🇸🇰 cirkvní muži
🇨🇳 教会人士
🇸🇮 cerkveni možje
🇮🇸 kirkjumenn
🇰🇿 шірке адамдары
🇬🇪 ეკლესიის ადამიანები
🇦🇿 kilsə adamları
🇲🇽 hombres de iglesia
Etymology
The term 'churchman' dates back to the Middle English period, where it was derived from the combination of 'church' and the suffix '-man.' 'Church' comes from the Old English 'cirice,' meaning 'house of God,' and is rooted in the Greek 'kyriakon,' which translates to 'belonging to the Lord.' The suffix '-man' has Old English origins, signifying a male person or individual. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the role of clergy became more formalized, and distinctions were made between different types of religious leaders. The usage of 'churchman' was established to refer specifically to male members of the clergy, differentiating them from laypersons and emphasizing their spiritual authority and responsibilities within the church community. Over time, the term has persisted in various forms across different English-speaking cultures, but its core meaning remains related to the male clergy's roles in religious institutions.