Unfrock: meaning, definitions and examples
⛪
unfrock
[ ʌnˈfrɒk ]
remove cloth
To unfrock means to remove the frock or ecclesiastical clothing from a clergyman, often as a form of demotion or dismissal from office. The term can also imply the removal of privileges associated with a religious leader.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The scandal led the church to unfrock the priest.
- In some cases, officials decided to unfrock the bishop due to his actions.
- The committee voted to unfrock the minister after the investigation.
Translations
Translations of the word "unfrock" in other languages:
🇵🇹 despojar
🇮🇳 पादरी से पद हटा देना
🇩🇪 entkleiden
🇮🇩 melepaskan jubah
🇺🇦 позбавити сану
🇵🇱 pozbawić rangi
🇯🇵 剥奪する
🇫🇷 déchoir
🇪🇸 despojar
🇹🇷 sırtından giysilerini çıkarmak
🇰🇷 탈의하다
🇸🇦 إزالة الملابس
🇨🇿 zbavit hodnosti
🇸🇰 zbaviť hodnosti
🇨🇳 剥夺神职
🇸🇮 razbiti
🇮🇸 afklæða
🇰🇿 дін қызметінен босату
🇬🇪 მკურნალობიდან მოკლება
🇦🇿 rütbədən məhrum etmək
🇲🇽 despojar
Etymology
The word 'unfrock' is derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'the opposite of' and 'frock' which has its origins from the Old French word 'froque', meaning a coat or garment. The use of 'frock' in English dates back to the 14th century when it referred to a loose outer garment worn by men. Over time, 'frock' became associated specifically with the ecclesiastical clothing worn by clergy members. The word 'unfrock' began to see usage in the late 19th century, particularly in contexts regarding the church, as a way of denoting the process of stripping a clergy member of their robes and authority. This action often followed scandalous behavior or a loss of moral standing, making 'unfrock' indicative of both the physical removal of garments as well as the removal of religious status.