Ecclesiastical
ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl
Definitions
Relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.
ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl
The cathedral is an example of fine ecclesiastical architecture.
💡 Simply: Imagine the church and everything connected to it – the priests, the rules, the buildings. When something is 'ecclesiastical,' it's related to that world.
👶 For kids: It means anything about the church, like the people who work there or the special things they do.
More Examples
The bishop oversaw the ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese.
The council discussed several ecclesiastical reforms.
How It's Used
"The historian studied the ecclesiastical records of the medieval period."
"The court addressed the ecclesiastical law regarding marriage."
From Late Latin *ecclesiasticus*, from Greek *ekklēsiastikos* (of or belonging to the church), from *ekklēsia* (assembly, church).
Used since the early Middle Ages to denote matters related to the Church.
Memory tip
Think of the 'ecclesia' (church) in 'ecclesiastical.'