la·i·cize (lā'ĭ-sīz')
tr.v., -cized, -ciz·ing, -ciz·es.

1. To free from ecclesiastical control; give over to laypeople.
2. To change to lay status; secularize.

laicization la'i·ci·za'tion (-sĭ-zā'shən) n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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