
verb (used with object), sec·u·lar·ized, sec·u·lar·iz·ing.
- to make secular; separate from religious or spiritual connection or influences; make worldly or unspiritual; imbue with secularism.
- to change (clergy) from regular to secular.
- to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use.
verb (tr)
- to change from religious or sacred to secular functions, etc
- to dispense from allegiance to a religious order
- law to transfer (property) from ecclesiastical to civil possession or use
- English legal history to transfer (an offender) from the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to that of the civil courts for the imposition of a more severe punishment
v.1610s, of property, offices, etc., from secular + -ize. From 1711 as “to become worldly;” from 1846 of education, social institutions, etc. Related: Secularized; secularizing.