'English church' definitions:

Definition of 'English church'

From: GCIDE
  • Church \Church\ (ch[^u]rch), n. [OE. chirche, chireche, cherche, Scot. kirk, from AS. circe, cyrice; akin to D. kerk, Icel. kirkja, Sw. kyrka, Dan. kirke, G. kirche, OHG. chirihha; all fr. Gr. kyriako`n the Lord's house, fr. kyriako`s concerning a master or lord, fr. ky`rios master, lord, fr. ky^ros power, might; akin to Skr. [,c][=u]ra hero, Zend. [,c]ura strong, OIr. caur, cur, hero. Cf. Kirk.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. A building set apart for Christian worship. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A Jewish or heathen temple. [Obs.] --Acts xix. 37. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A formally organized body of Christian believers worshiping together. "When they had ordained them elders in every church." --Acts xiv. 23. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A body of Christian believers, holding the same creed, observing the same rites, and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a denomination; as, the Roman Catholic church; the Presbyterian church. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. The collective body of Christians. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Any body of worshipers; as, the Jewish church; the church of Brahm. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Remember that both church and state are properly the rulers of the people, only because they are their benefactors. --Bulwer. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Apostolic church. See under Apostolic.
  • Broad church. See Broad Church.
  • Catholic church 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 (Zool.), 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. [1913 Webster]