Church

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun A Jewish or heathen temple.

II. Church ·noun The collective body of Christians.

III. Church ·noun A building set apart for Christian worship.

IV. Church ·noun Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm.

V. Church ·noun A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together.

VI. Church ·noun The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, ·etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil.

VII. Church ·vt To bless according to a prescribed form, or to unite with in publicly returning thanks in church, as after deliverance from the dangers of childbirth; as, the churching of women.

VIII. Church ·noun A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the Roman Catholic church; the Presbyterian church.

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