7. The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church against some moral evil. Remember that both church and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors. Bulwer.
Note: Church is often used in composition to denote something
belonging or relating to the church; as, church authority; church
history; church member; church music, etc. Apostolic church. See
under Apostolic.
— Broad church. See Broad Church.
— Catholic or Universal church, the whole body of believers in
Christ throughout the world.
— Church of England, or English church, the Episcopal church
established and endowed in England by law.
— Church living, a benefice in an established church.
— Church militant. See under Militant.
— Church owl (Zoöl.), the white owl. See Barn owl.
— Church rate, a tax levied on parishioners for the maintenance of
the church and its services.
— Church session. See under Session.
— Church triumphant. See under Triumphant.
— Church work, work on, or in behalf of, a church; the work of a
particular church for the spread of religion.
— Established church, the church maintained by the civil authority;
a state church.
CHURCH
Church, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Churched; p. pr. & vb. n. Churching.]
Defn: 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.
CHURCH-ALE
Church"-ale`, n.
Defn: A church or parish festival (as in commemoration of the dedication of a church), at which much ale was used. Wright. Nares.
CHURCH-BENCH
Church"-bench`, n.
Defn: A seat in the porch of a church. Shak.
CHURCHDOM
Church"dom, n.
Defn: The institution, government, or authority of a church. [R.] Bp.
Pearson.