Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Secular
Sec′u-lar
,Adj.
[OE.
secular
, seculer
. L. saecularis
, fr. saeculum
a race, generation, age, the times, the world; perhaps akin to E. soul
: cf. F. séculier
.] 1.
Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
The
secular
year was kept but once a century. Addison.
2.
Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period of time; accomplished in a long progress of time;
as,
. secular
inequality; the secular
refrigeration of the globe3.
Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly.
New foes arise,
Threatening to bind our souls with
Threatening to bind our souls with
secular
chains. Milton.
4.
(Eccl.)
Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community;
as, a
. secular
priestHe tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for morals, both in the religious orders and the
secular
clergy. Prescott.
5.
Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical.
I speak of folk in
secular
estate. Chaucer.
Secular equation
(Astron.)
, the algebraic or numerical expression of the magnitude of the inequalities in a planet’s motion that remain after the inequalities of a short period have been allowed for.
– Secular games
(Rom. Antiq.)
, games celebrated, at long but irregular intervals, for three days and nights, with sacrifices, theatrical shows, combats, sports, and the like.
– Secular music
, any music or songs not adapted to sacred uses.
– Secular hymn
or Secular poem
a hymn or poem composed for the secular games, or sung or rehearsed at those games.
Sec′u-lar
,Noun.
1.
(Eccl.)
A secular ecclesiastic, or one not bound by monastic rules.
Burke.
2.
(Eccl.)
A church official whose functions are confined to the vocal department of the choir.
Busby.
3.
A layman, as distinguished from a clergyman.
Webster 1828 Edition
Secular
SEC'ULAR
,Adj.
1. Pertaining to the present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to things not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly. The secular concerns of life respect making making provision for the support of life, the preservation of health, the temporal prosperity of men, of states, &c. Secular power is that which superintends and governs the temporal affairs of men, the civil or political power; and is contradistinguished from spiritual or ecclsiastical power.
2. Among catholics, not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confines to a monastery or subject to the rules of a religious community. Thus we say, the secular clergy and the regular clergy.
3. Coming once in a century; as a secular year.