What is the etymology of the word "secular"?

1 Answer

Answer :

answer:secular (adj.) c.1300, “living in the world, not belonging to a religious order,” also “belonging to the state,” from Old French seculer (Modern French séculier), from Late Latin saecularis “worldly, secular, pertaining to a generation or age,” from Latin saecularis “of an age, occurring once in an age,” from saeculum “age, span of time, generation.” According to Watkins, this is probably from PIE *sai-tlo-, with instrumental element *tlo + *sai- “to bind, tie” (see sinew), extended metaphorically to successive human generations as links in the chain of life. Another theory connects it with words for “seed,” from PIE root *se- “to sow” (see sow (v.), and compare Gothic mana-seþs “mankind, world,” literally “seed of men”). Used in ecclesiastical writing like Greek aion “of this world” (see cosmos). It is source of French siècle. Ancient Roman ludi saeculares was a three-day, day-and-night celebration coming once in an “age” (120 years). In English, in reference to humanism and the exclusion of belief in God from matters of ethics and morality, from 1850s. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=secular

Related questions

Description : What is the etymology of the word 'Congress'?

Last Answer : im gonna guess something greek/latin

Description : What is the etymology for 'stone cold...'?

Last Answer : Because stones or rocks are a good example of hard things having no compromise. They are hard and unforgiving. It’s an example of an absolute, whereas all other things can be changed in some way.

Description : Do you find etymology to be fascinating?

Last Answer : Only in the sense that learning the origins of some words can help you to understand words in a different language when learning a new language. But for the most part, it is only ... when studying ancient languages and trying to decipher their meaning. But for everyday words not so interesting.

Description : What is the etymology of caddywhompas?

Last Answer : The spelling I know is cattywampus. There's probably more than one. It's one of those folk expressions like cattycorner and dunduckety and snickerdoodle that seem to have a bastard sort of ... examples are proper examples; I'd have to look them up too. But perhaps they convey the idea.

Description : Etymology -- why does the verb "pronounce" lose the letter O when it becomes the noun "pronunciation"?

Last Answer : answer:I recall I always used to say “pronounciation”. Anyway, I looked it up, and according to Wiktionary, it’s derived > From Latin pronuntiatio, noun of action from perfect passive participle pronuntiatus, from verb pronuntiare proclaim, from pro- for + nuntiare announce.

Description : Word etymology help?

Last Answer : OMG NO ,I have always used that term I really had to reef on that bolt to get it out People hat get all confused with sayings and terms drive me crazy, unless you explain it to them in perfect ... problem with a text message? How about I laughed my ass off how do explain that to these people?

Description : The etymology of the word is (to me) quite fascinating; we sometimes take for granted how they've come about, beyond their definitions. Do you like words and languages, or is it simply a tool, like math?

Last Answer : answer:Great question! I loved your exposition of proclivity. Yes, I do have a proclivity for exploring words in their subtle meaning. I wish I had understood the power of knowing words in great ... seeming world because he drew upon cultural heritage that all of us unwittingly have been shaped by.

Description : What is the origin and etymology of the word SINCERE?

Last Answer : Wikipedia would love to answer that.

Description : what is the etymology of the word "tantrum"?

Last Answer : answer:I don't think anyone has the answer. The OED doesn't. Here's their entry: [Origin unascertained. (In Wallis's Room for the Cobbler of Gloucester (1668) 4 tantrum appears as a Welshman's ... Daughter 329 If we'd still been children, I might have been throwing stones at him in a tantrum.

Description : Which sentence describes the etymology of a word?

Last Answer : The root pod in podiatry comes from the greek word for foot.

Description : What is the etymology of the word government?

Last Answer : Need answer

Description : How does A thesaurus gives the etymology of a word?

Last Answer : Need answer

Description : What is the etymology of these non-words?

Last Answer : uh inarticulate sound, attested from c. 1600; uh-huh, spoken affirmative (often ironic or non-committal) is recorded by 1894; negative uh-uh is attested from 1924. That’s from the Online Etymological Dictionary.

Description : Etymology question: Is there a derivative relationship between the name BORG (of Star Trek fame) and the Borgia family dynasty of the 15th and 16th century?

Last Answer : I think it comes from Cyborg Definition of cyborg: a person whose body contains mechanical or electrical devices and whose abilities are greater than the abilities of normal humans. 1960s: blend of cyber- and organism.

Description : Does anyone know a GOOD website that explains the meaning or etymology of given ("first") names?

Last Answer : I can’t vouch for them (and how would one even know if it’s a “good” site or not?) but here is this

Description : What are a few good online references for etymology?

Last Answer : answer:Welcome to Fluther! Here is the Online Etymology Dictionary that I frequently use.

Description : What is the etymology and history of your first name?

Last Answer : answer:All I know is that I got my name because it has been used in my family for years. I would say it is English. I don’t know what it means. P.S. my name is Daniel

Description : Dr. Verbose earned her degree in etymology, the scientific study of words?

Last Answer : the scientific study of words

Description : The post-mortem examination of a body is called -----? A. Etymology B. autopsy (Answer) C. Anatomy D. None of these

Last Answer : B. autopsy (Answer)

Description : The word "Secular" was added to the Preamble of the Constitution of India by which Constitutional Amendment? (1) 41st Constitutional Amendment (2) 42nd Constitutional Amendment (3) 43rd Constitutional Amendment (4) 44th Constitutional Amendment

Last Answer : (2) 42nd Constitutional Amendment Explanation: The 42nd Amendment of 1976 changed the description of India from a "sovereign democratic republic" to a "sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic" ... most widespread changes to the Constitution in its history, and is called "Mini-Constitution."

Description : In the 42nd Constitutional Amendment 1976, which word was added to the Preamble? (1) Democratic (2) Equality (3) Secular (4) Socialist

Last Answer : (4) Socialist Explanation: The 42nd constitutional amendment Act, 1976 amended the Preamble and changed the description of India from "sovereign democratic republic" to a "sovereign, socialist secular democratic ... changed the words "unity of the nation" to "unity and integrity of the nation".

Description : Which one of the following word added to the Preamble through an amendment in the constitution carried out during emergency in 1976 a) Socialist and Secular b) Secular & Democratic c) Socialist & Republic d) None of them

Last Answer : a) Socialist and Secular

Description : What was the most embarrasing time you incorrectly used a word or phrase?

Last Answer : I mixed up castigated with castrated once, and, asked whether I knew what “castrated” meant, said I did (because I thought I did – I thought it meant what castigated meant).

Description : The use of the word STINT?

Last Answer : Stint can mean a period of time but usually time spent working. Eg He did a two hour stint in an Amazon warehouse. A long stint drinking coffee doesn’t sound right unless meant in a humorous way.

Description : Language savvy people: Do other languages have a word for 'klutz'? What is it?

Last Answer : In English I guess it is clumsy, but is that the same part of speech? Or, I guess the word klutz is English now? I think of it as a Yiddish word. A person can be a klutz, but their ... clumsy, but you wouldn't call someone a torpe. Yiddish has some really great words, and it sounds funny too.

Description : What is the word that goes with the email message "....destroy it if it's not meant for you" See detail.

Last Answer : « Privé « ?

Description : What is a word to describe actions such as war, anger?

Last Answer : What’s wrong with “aggression” or “aggressiveness”?

Description : Which word looks the best, the most beautiful, the funniest, and/or the most aesthetic, uncapitalized?

Last Answer : “aesthetic”

Description : Is it common that the word right is understood only as in the moral sense?

Last Answer : Context is everything. For example, in that other question, if “right” doesn’t mean “not left” then “correct” only applies as a moral judgement because the. Ircumstance doesn’t have a “correct” answer, as it’s a matter of personal choice.

Description : Can you think of a word with four repeated letters?

Last Answer : I did a search and came up with this: LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH, which is the name of a Welsh town. Since your example of runner has the n and the r as being repeated, my ... O and R 10 repeated letters. Oddly, it only has 5 letters that AREN'T repeated.

Description : What is a word for taking measures in order to prevent something?

Last Answer : Precautionary or cautious. Phone ahead to dentist to find out if one can take painkillers as they may give you some at that appointment via needles or pills?

Description : Where does the word "Goon" come from?

Last Answer : Your article seems largely based on the Online Etymological Dictionary which is pretty reliable.

Description : Word sleuths: trying to recall a word for cool early fall weather, or the change in weather?

Last Answer : Maybe it is in this list? Or you may try reversedictionary?

Description : If you don't put the word "some" before a noun referring to people, does that imply you mean "every single one" of those people?

Last Answer : No. Generalizations can be restricted or unrestricted. The words all or some can be used to make it explicit which type of generalization you are making, but a reasonable person uses ... the principle of charity to determine which sort of generalization is intended when neither word is present.

Description : One word, or two, that absolutely drives you mad?

Last Answer : Vehicle… said in a southern American accent. Also glaceirs said in a British accent. I am set in my ways and fee unwanted pressure to change.

Description : Can you suggest meanings for the word "whar" that I typed by mistake?

Last Answer : Up in the hollers of West Virginia “whar” is used in place of “where.” “Whar is that dad blasted coon hound?”

Description : How did the word "understand" come to relate the concept of knowing?

Last Answer : Have you actually read the etymology?

Description : What is the equivalent word for sexism as applied to the difference between the have and havenots?

Last Answer : I don’t understand.

Description : Is the word non-sequitur in your paper dictionary, if so in what section?

Last Answer : I don't have a paper dictionary handy anymore. I gave that up about 15 years ago. But I looked in the 1913 Webster's at Project Gutenberg. Non sequitur is listed as a normal word between nonsensitive ... [L., it does not follow.] (Logic) Defn: An inference which does not follow from the premises.

Description : What ring does the word (the verb) "Judge" has to you?

Last Answer : When I hear it used as a verb, I think of “evaluate, weigh the merits of…”.

Description : What is the most overused word?

Last Answer : “Like.” Used as, like, unnecessary fillers in sentences.

Description : Is the word "against" the right word to use in the following statement?

Last Answer : “Against” isn’t the word that I’d use, but that doesn’t make it wrong. What’s wrong are the first two uses and the last appearance of “it’s”, which is a contraction of “it is” and not the possessive pronoun it’s intended to be.

Description : What is the biggest word you know?

Last Answer : answer:“Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia,” which means “the fear of long words.” It is not the longest word in the English language, however.

Description : Do you remember the first time you ever heard a certain word?

Last Answer : answer:I remember the first time I heard a specific word pronounced correctly. I was sitting drinking coffee with a friend in a HOJOs in autumn, 1992. I was 39 years old. We were taking a class together. ... moment; the when, where and who, but I can't remember the conversation for the life of me.

Description : French speakers when do you use the word "ne" without the "pas" somewhere in the sentence?

Last Answer : answer:When you’re using a different negative modifier. For example – ne….jamias for never Il ne veut jamais venir avec nous or ne….plus for anymore or no longer Je ne travaille plus

Description : What's one really cool word for today? Part 11?

Last Answer : answer:Solemn thank you

Description : How often do you use the word 'naughty'?

Last Answer : People with little kids toss the word around regularly depending on the varying dispositions of their own little criminals & my little girl was such a revelation that the word is still ingrained in the forefront of my lexicon 30 years later.

Description : What does the word quilt mean in this context?

Last Answer : Someone just misspelt “guilt”.

Description : Will 'wazzock' become popular in the United States as a word to define a buffoonish idiot?

Last Answer : No, we don’t need British slang. We already have two words: Trump and Palin.

Description : Would you use the word "snuck" in a newspaper article?

Last Answer : Snuck is commonly used in America. I guess maybe it is not the best choice. Sneaked in is better. I don't associate it with teenage talk. I don't know if it's considered part of a dialect? I ... similar to when someone says or writes they burnt the pot roast. I use burned, but they are both correct.