ecclesiastico

ecclesiastical, church

adjective ehk-kleh-ZYAH-stee-koh Rare

Origin: From Latin ecclesiasticus, from Greek ekklēsiastikos, from ekklēsia (assembly, church).

Usage Note

Ecclesiastico describes anything pertaining to the Church or its institutions: diritto ecclesiastico (ecclesiastical law), beni ecclesiastici (church property). As a noun (un ecclesiastico) it means a clergyman. Do not confuse with religioso (religious in a general sense) — ecclesiastico is specifically institutional and organisational.

Examples

"Il tribunale ecclesiastico ha esaminato il caso."

Natural Translation

The ecclesiastical court examined the case.

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