excommunicate

 

verb

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

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkət/
  • excommunicated: an excommunicate bishop

noun

Pronunciation: /ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkət/
  • 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)