Laywoman: meaning, definitions and examples
👩⚖️
laywoman
[ ˈleɪˌwʊməŋ ]
gendered term
The term 'laywoman' refers to a woman who is not a member of a particular profession, especially one who is not an expert in a given field. This word is often used in contrast to 'expert' or 'professional' to denote someone who lacks specialized knowledge or training in a specific area. In religious contexts, a laywoman is a woman who is a member of the laity, meaning she is not ordained or part of the clergy. Laywomen may still be highly knowledgeable and active in their community, but they do not hold formal titles or roles associated with a profession or organization.
Synonyms
amateur, layperson, non-expert, novice
Examples of usage
- A laywoman can still have valuable insights.
- The teachings were explained to a laywoman.
- As a laywoman, she brings a unique perspective.
Translations
Translations of the word "laywoman" in other languages:
🇵🇹 leiga
🇮🇳 गैर-विशेषज्ञ
🇩🇪 Laienfrau
🇮🇩 wanita awam
🇺🇦 неспеціалістка
🇵🇱 laik
🇯🇵 素人女性
🇫🇷 profane
🇪🇸 laica
🇹🇷 laik kadın
🇰🇷 비전문가 여성
🇸🇦 امرأة غير متخصصة
🇨🇿 laická žena
🇸🇰 laická žena
🇨🇳 外行女性
🇸🇮 laikinja
🇮🇸 ómenntaður kvenmaður
🇰🇿 тәжірибесіз әйел
🇬🇪 არაპროფესიონალი ქალი
🇦🇿 peşəkar olmayan qadın
🇲🇽 mujer lego
Etymology
The word 'laywoman' has its roots in the Old English 'laȳ,' meaning 'not connected to the clergy' or 'of the people.' It is a compound of 'lay,' derived from the Middle English 'lai,' and 'woman,' which signifies a female person. Historically, this term was used in contrast to 'clergy' to refer to those who participated in religious life but were not ordained ministers. The term gained more traction in the 20th century, especially in discussions about gender roles within various professional fields. As women's roles evolved in society, the term 'laywoman' started being applied more broadly beyond religious contexts, emphasizing the importance of women's participation in professional and community settings without formal credentials. Today, 'laywoman' can refer to women in many sectors, highlighting their contributions and perspectives even when they do not possess specific qualifications.