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excommunicate

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Definition of excommunicate

verb


[with object]
  • officially exclude (someone) from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church: Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Pope

adjective


  • excommunicated: an excommunicate bishop

noun


  • an excommunicated person: the arrest of excommunicates

Derivatives

excommunication

Pronunciation: /-ˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

excommunicative

Pronunciation: /-kətɪv/

adjective

excommunicator

noun

excommunicatory

Pronunciation: /-ˈkeɪt(ə)ri/

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin excommunicat- 'excluded from communication with the faithful', from the verb excommunicare, from ex- 'out' + Latin communis 'common to all', on the pattern of Latin communicare (see communicate)

excommunicate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of excommunicate in the US English dictionary