Meaning
Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric or member of the clergy.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English layman, lay man, equivalent to lay (“non-clergy”) + man. Cognate with Old Frisian lēkmann, lēkmonn (“layman”), obsolete Dutch leekeman (“layman”), Old High German leihman (“layman”), Danish lægmand (“layman”), Swedish lekman (“layman”), Norwegian lekmann (“layman”), Icelandic leikmaður (“layman”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
laypersonsecularamateurbrothercatechumenchurchmancommunicantsister
Antonyms
professionalexpertspecialistclergyman
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles: