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Glossary of Religion Terms
beginning with letter C
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c. Tweet Definition of c. Like Definition of c. on Facebook
abbreviation
  1. (context, preposition) circa
The document was written in the Middle Ages, 1250.
  1. (context, noun) city
calced Tweet Definition of calced Like Definition of calced on Facebook
adjective
  1. Used of religious orders to indicate that they wear shoes.
caloyer Tweet Definition of caloyer Like Definition of caloyer on Facebook
noun
  1. a reclusive monk of the Greek Orthodox Church
camerlengo Tweet Definition of camerlengo Like Definition of camerlengo on Facebook
noun , plural camerlengos
  1. chamberlain; the cardinal who administers the Roman Catholic Church in the interregnum between Popes
Candlemas Tweet Definition of Candlemas Like Definition of Candlemas on Facebook
noun
  1. The festival in the Christian year that commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple
February 2nd in the western Christian church and February 15th in the Orthodox church.
  1. A quarter day in Scotland.
canon Tweet Definition of canon Like Definition of canon on Facebook
noun (plural: canons)
  1. a generally accepted principle.
The trial must proceed according to the canons of law.
  1. A group of literary works that are generally accepted as representing a field.
"the durable canon of American short fiction" William Styron.
  1. The works of a writer that have been accepted as authentic.
the entire Shakespeare canon
  1. A Eucharistic Prayer, particularly, the Roman Canon.
  2. A religious law or body of law decreed by the church.
We must proceed according to law.
  1. An ecclesiastical title.
  2. A piece of music in which the same melody is played by different voices, but beginning at different times.
Pachelbel"s Canon has become very popular.
canonical Tweet Definition of canonical Like Definition of canonical on Facebook
adjective
  1. (theology) Present in a canon of Scripture.
The w:Gospel of Luke, Gospel of Luke is a New Testament book.
  1. In conformity with canon law.
  2. According to recognised or orthodox rules.
The men played golf in the most way, with no local rules.
  1. Stated or used in the most basic and straightforwardly applicable manner.
This definition would be more useful if it were .
  1. (music) In the form of a canon.
  2. Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical chapter
  3. (context, math, compsci) In canonical form.
canonize Tweet Definition of canonize Like Definition of canonize on Facebook
verb (canoniz, es)
  1. To establish as a formal, standard rule.
  2. To define someone as a saint.
cantor Tweet Definition of cantor Like Definition of cantor on Facebook
noun
  1. singer, especially someone who takes a special role of singing or song leading at a ceremony
Capuchin Tweet Definition of Capuchin Like Definition of Capuchin on Facebook
proper noun
  1. A member of an order of Roman Catholic friars.
Cardinal Tweet Definition of Cardinal Like Definition of Cardinal on Facebook
proper noun
  1. (baseball) A player on the team "The St. Louis Cardinals".
    Smith became a as the result of a pre-season trade.
    1. A player on the team "Arizona Cardinals".
  2. A sports team or a player on a sports team at w:Stanford University, Stanford University.
  3. A student or player on a sports team at the w:University of Louisville, University of Louisville. <!-- split to Cardinals
    Cardinals
  4. (baseball) The team "w:St. Louis Cardinals, The St. Louis Cardinals".
    1. The team "w:Arizona Cardinals, The Arizona Cardinals".
    2. A sports team at the w:University of Louisville, University of Louisville.
    The Cardinals take the field.
    -->
Carthusian Tweet Definition of Carthusian Like Definition of Carthusian on Facebook
proper noun
  1. A member of a Christian contemplative order of monks founded by w:Bruno of Cologne:St Bruno, Bruno of Cologne (St Bruno) in 1084.
adjective
  1. Of, or relating to this order.
catacomb Tweet Definition of catacomb Like Definition of catacomb on Facebook
nounplural catacombs
  1. an underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery
Note: often used in the plural      
catechesis Tweet Definition of catechesis Like Definition of catechesis on Facebook
noun
  1. religious instruction given orally to catechumens
catechism Tweet Definition of catechism Like Definition of catechism on Facebook
noun
  1. a book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity
  2. a basic manual in some subject
  3. a set of questions designed to determine knowledge
catechist Tweet Definition of catechist Like Definition of catechist on Facebook
noun
  1. (Christianity) One who practices catechesis, i.e., catechizes catechumens; a teacher who instructs students in the doctrines of a particular Christian denomination typically in preparation for confirmation.
catechize Tweet Definition of catechize Like Definition of catechize on Facebook
verb (catechizes, catechizing, catechized)
  1. (Christianity) To give religious instruction, often by the question-and-answer method, especially children or adolescents who are preparing for confirmation.
catechumen Tweet Definition of catechumen Like Definition of catechumen on Facebook
noun
  1. a convert to Christianity under instruction before baptism; a young Christian preparing for confirmation
  • 1963: Here in this room an old man had killed and boiled a , had committed sodomy with a rat, had discussed a rodent nunhood with V., a future saint " depending which story you listened to. " w:Thomas Pynchon, Thomas Pynchon, V.
cathedral Tweet Definition of cathedral Like Definition of cathedral on Facebook
noun
  1. The principal church of a bishop's diocese which contains an episcopal throne.
Catholic Tweet Definition of Catholic Like Definition of Catholic on Facebook
noun
  1. A member of a Catholic church.
The wife of the Prime Minister is a .
adjective
  1. Of the Western Christian church, as opposed to the Orthodox church.
Christmas is celebrated at different dates in the and Orthodox calendars.
  1. Of the Roman Catholic church.
The Church of the Sacred Heart is a one.
Catholic Church Tweet Definition of Catholic Church Like Definition of Catholic Church on Facebook
noun
  1. Literally "universal church", the whole body of Christendom, especially before the division into Western and Eastern churches.
  2. The Roman Catholic Church, which consists of 23 particular Churches in full communion with the Bishop of Rome.
  1. (rfv-sense) The Eastern Orthodox Church.
  2. (rfv-sense) Any of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
    1. Any of the independent Catholic Churches, such as the Old Catholic Church, the Polish National Catholic Church, or the Orthodox Catholic Church.
    2. Any Christian denomination that identifies explicitly as "Catholic" based on its affirmation of the Nicene Creed, such as any of the Anglican Churches.
Catholicism Tweet Definition of Catholicism Like Definition of Catholicism on Facebook
noun
  1. The faiths, practices and doctrines of a Catholic Church, but especially of the Roman Catholic Church
  2. The state or quality of being catholic or universal; catholicity. --w:Jer. Taylor, Jer. Taylor.
  3. Liberality of sentiment; breadth of view.
celebrant Tweet Definition of celebrant Like Definition of celebrant on Facebook
noun
  1. A person who officiates at a religious ceremony, especially a marriage or the Eucharist
  2. A person who is celebrating something
celebrate Tweet Definition of celebrate Like Definition of celebrate on Facebook
verb (celebrat, ing)
  1. To extol or honour in a solemn manner; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High.
  2. To honour by solemn rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly; to keep; as, to celebrate a birthday.
  3. To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to solemnize; to perform with appropriate rites; as, to celebrate a marriage.
cell Tweet Definition of cell Like Definition of cell on Facebook
noun
  1. A component of an electrical battery.
This MP3 player runs on 2 AAA cells.
  1. A room in a prison for containing inmates.
The combatants spent the night in separate cells.
  1. A room in a monastery for sleeping one person.
Gregor Mendel must have spent a good amount of time outside of his .
  1. A small group of people forming part of a larger organization.
Those three fellows are the local of that organization.
  1. (meteorology) A small thunderstorm, caused by convection, that forms ahead of a storm front.
There is a powerful storm headed our way.
  1. (cytology) The basic unit of a living organism, surrounded by a cell membrane.
There is a virtual zoo of single organisms living in your mouth.
  1. (biology) An cavity in a structure such as a honeycomb or ovary.
The bee filled the with honey.
<!--this is a proper noun sense, and is encyclopedic
  1. (biology) the title of a scientific journal published by Wikipedia:Elsevier, Elsevier
It was published in Cell. ''-->
  1. (computing) The minimal unit of a cellular automaton that can change state and has an associated behavior.
The upper right always starts with the color green.
  1. (communication) A short, fixed-length packet as in Wikipedia:Asynchronous Transfer Mode, asynchronous transfer mode.
Virtual Channel number 5 received 170 cells.
  1. (communication) A region of radio reception that is a part of a larger radio network.
I get good reception in my home because it is near a tower.
  1. (context, US, informal) A cellular phone.
  2. (geometry) A three-dimensional facet of a polytope.
celtic cross Tweet Definition of celtic cross Like Definition of celtic cross on Facebook
noun
  1. a Christian symbol, common in Ireland, which combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection.
cenacle Tweet Definition of cenacle Like Definition of cenacle on Facebook
noun
  1. a dining room, especially one on an upper floor
  2. (context, by extension) a small circle or gathering of specialists (writers etc); a clique
cenobite Tweet Definition of cenobite Like Definition of cenobite on Facebook
noun (cenobite, s)
  1. A member of a Greek monastic religious order; a caloyer
  • 1980: Lamprecht knew very well how the war was going and was perfunctory in his rounding up of Jews and cenobites. " Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers
ceremonial Tweet Definition of ceremonial Like Definition of ceremonial on Facebook
noun (plural ceremonials)
  1. a ceremony, or series of ceremonies, prescribed by ritual
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or used in a ceremony; ritual or formal
chancellor Tweet Definition of chancellor Like Definition of chancellor on Facebook
noun
  1. A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the United States is distinctively a court with equity jurisdiction.
chancery Tweet Definition of chancery Like Definition of chancery on Facebook
noun
  1. In England, formerly, the highest court of judicature next to the Parliament, exercising jurisdiction at law, but chiefly in equity; but under the jurisdiction act of 1873 it became the chancery division of the High Court of Justice, and now exercises jurisdiction only in equity.
  2. In the Unites States, a court of equity; equity; proceeding in equity.
chapel Tweet Definition of chapel Like Definition of chapel on Facebook
noun
  1. A place of worship, smaller than, or subordinate to a church.
  2. A place of worship in a civil institution such as an airport, prison etc.
  3. A funeral home, or a room in one for holding funeral services.
chaplain Tweet Definition of chaplain Like Definition of chaplain on Facebook
noun
  1. A member of the clergy officially assigned to an institution, group, private chapel, etc.
chapter Tweet Definition of chapter Like Definition of chapter on Facebook
noun
  1. One of the main sections into which the text of a book is divided.
  2. An administrative division of an organization, usually local to a specific area.
character Tweet Definition of character Like Definition of character on Facebook
noun
  1. A being involved in the action of a story.
  2. A symbol used to represent a sound or a word.
  3. A distinguishing feature; characteristic; A complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person or a group.
  4. A moral strength.
"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds ."
  1. A person with many notable or eccentric features.
  2. (mathematics) A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
  3. (computing) One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character. Synonymous with byte in some environments.
charge Tweet Definition of charge Like Definition of charge on Facebook
noun
  1. Someone or something entrusted to one's care, i.e. a child to a babysitter.
  2. A load or burden.
    • 2005, w:Plato, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. w:Stephanus pagination, 261a.
    • : we'll nail the sophist to it, if we can get him on that ;
      1. The amount of money levy, levied for a service.
      2. An instruction.
      3. An impetuous attack.
      4. An electric charge.
      5. (basketball) An offensive foul in which the player with the ball moves into a stationary defender.
      6. A measured amount of powder and/or shot in a firearm cartridge.
      7. (heraldry) An image displayed on an escutcheon
verb (charg, ing)
  1. To place a burden upon.
  2. To assign a duty to.
I'm charging you with cleaning up the kitchen.
  1. To formally accuse of a crime.
I'm charging you with grand theft auto.
  1. To assign a debit to an account.
Let's charge this to marketing.
  1. To pay using a credit card.
Can I charge this with my corporate card?
  1. To cause to take on an electric charge.
Rubbing amber with wool will charge it quickly.
  1. To move forward quickly and forcefully, particularly in combat, on horseback or both.
  2. (military) To attack by moving forward quickly in a group.
  3. (basketball) To commit a charging foul.
  4. (cricket) (of a batsman) To take a few steps doen the pitch towards the bowler as he delivers the ball, either to disrupt the length of the delivery, or to get into a better position to hit the ball.
  5. To ready a firearm for use
Charge your weapons, we're moving up
charisma Tweet Definition of charisma Like Definition of charisma on Facebook
noun
  1. Personal charm or magnetism
  2. (Christianity) An extraordinary power granted by the Holy Spirit
  3. The ability to influence without the use of logic.
Charity Tweet Definition of Charity Like Definition of Charity on Facebook
proper noun
  1. (given name, female) first used by Puritans, originally more popular than Faith and Hope but rarely used today because of the modern side meaning of charity as welfare work.
chasuble Tweet Definition of chasuble Like Definition of chasuble on Facebook
noun
  1. the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for celebrating Eucharist or Mass
  • 1936: he"s quaky and qualmy and queasy and teasy; he chews chasubles and ripples rasubly. " Henry Miller, Black Spring
    (seeCites)
cherub Tweet Definition of cherub Like Definition of cherub on Facebook
noun (pl2=cherubim)
  1. A winged creature represented over 90 times in the Bible as attending on God, later seen as the second highest order of angels, ranked above thrones and below seraphim. First mention is in http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_%28World_English%29/Genesis
  2. Chapter_3 Genesis 3:24
  3. A statue or other depiction of such a being, typically in the form of a winged child.
  4. (figurative) A person, especially a child, seen as being particularly innocent or angelic.
chiliasm Tweet Definition of chiliasm Like Definition of chiliasm on Facebook
noun
  1. a 1000 year period of peace and prosperity, sometimes equated with the return of Jesus for that period
chi-rho Tweet Definition of chi-rho Like Definition of chi-rho on Facebook
noun
  1. A combination of the Greek letters chi and rho. The symbol was created by Emperor Constantine I.
choir Tweet Definition of choir Like Definition of choir on Facebook
noun
  1. singing group; group of people who sing together; company of people who are trained to sing together
The church practices Thursday nights.
  1. the part of a church where the assembles for song
  2. (italbrac, Christian angelology) one of the nine ranks or orders of angels
Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones are three of the choirs of angels.
chrism Tweet Definition of chrism Like Definition of chrism on Facebook
noun
  1. A mixture of oil and balm, consecrated for use as an anointing fluid in certain Christian ceremonies, especially confirmation
    • 1984, "The King," Will cried, "is my master and bathed in the of the Lord God." " Anthony Burgess, Enderby's Dark Lady
Christ Tweet Definition of Christ Like Definition of Christ on Facebook
noun
  1. A figure or other artistic depiction of Jesus Christ.
proper noun
  1. (Judaism) The "Lord's anointed one" or messiah predicted in Jewish prophecy.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)
  1. (Christianity) (italbrac, literally) The title given to Jesus of Nazareth, seen as fulfilling messianic prophecy; often treated as a personal name.
christen Tweet Definition of christen Like Definition of christen on Facebook
verb
  1. To baptise.
  2. To name.
Christendom Tweet Definition of Christendom Like Definition of Christendom on Facebook
proper noun
  1. The Christian world.
christening Tweet Definition of christening Like Definition of christening on Facebook
noun
  1. The Christian sacrament at which someone, usually a child, is baptized and given a Christian name
verb
  1. (present participle of, christen)
Christian Tweet Definition of Christian Like Definition of Christian on Facebook
noun
  1. (context, Christianity) A believer in Christianity.
  2. (context, Christianity) An individual who seeks to live his or her life according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ.
proper noun
  1. (given name, male) found in England since the twelfth century.
  2. (given name, female) of medieval usage, rare today.
adjective
  1. (context, not comparable) Of, like or relating to Christianity or Christians.
  2. Kind, charitable.
That's very of you.
To non-Christians, this may be an offensive usage (similarly, see the offensive usage of Jew)
Christianity Tweet Definition of Christianity Like Definition of Christianity on Facebook
noun (Christianities, -)
  1. A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Christianize Tweet Definition of Christianize Like Definition of Christianize on Facebook
verb
  1. To make Christian.
  2. To cause to convert to Christianity.
Christian name Tweet Definition of Christian name Like Definition of Christian name on Facebook
noun
  1. A first name formally given to a child at a Christian baptism.
  2. (context, by extension) Any forename.
Christmas Tweet Definition of Christmas Like Definition of Christmas on Facebook
proper noun
  1. The Christian holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
This we'll open presents then go to grandma's for dinner.
  1. The day it is celebrated, 25th December, an English quarter day.
  2. The season (traditionally from the 24th of December to the 6th of January) around the celebration of Christ's birth.
The shoppers spent less this December, than last year, but our store will probably see just as many returned items during the twelve days of Christmas.
  1. (US, retailing) The period from the Friday following Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, busy with shopping and preparations for Christmas.
Christmastide Tweet Definition of Christmastide Like Definition of Christmastide on Facebook
proper noun
  1. the Christmas season
Christocentric Tweet Definition of Christocentric Like Definition of Christocentric on Facebook
adjective
  1. of a form of Christianity that concentrates on the teaching of Jesus Christ
church Tweet Definition of church Like Definition of church on Facebook
noun
  1. A Christian house of worship; a building where religious services take place.
There is a lovely little in the valley.
  1. A Christian religious organization, local or general.
The Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534.
The across the street has a service at 10 am.
  1. A group of people who follow the same Christian religious beliefs, local or general.
These worshippers comprise the Church of Christ.
Be shepherds of the of God (Acts 20:28).
  1. A time of public worship; a worship service.
I'll be there after .
verbto church
  1. (transitive) To conduct a religious service for a woman after childbirth
churchman Tweet Definition of churchman Like Definition of churchman on Facebook
noun (Plural: Churchmen)
  1. A person (originally a man) of authority in a religious organization; a cleric.
The bishop, a highly placed , stated the religion's opinion.
Church of England Tweet Definition of Church of England Like Definition of Church of England on Facebook
proper noun
  1. The established Christian church in England, and the mother church of the Anglican Community. Abbreviated as C of E.
Church of Rome Tweet Definition of Church of Rome Like Definition of Church of Rome on Facebook
proper noun
  1. the Roman Catholic Church
churchwarden Tweet Definition of churchwarden Like Definition of churchwarden on Facebook
noun
  1. A lay officer of the Church of England who handles the secular affairs of the parish.
  2. A similar functionary of the Episcopal church.
churchy Tweet Definition of churchy Like Definition of churchy on Facebook
adjective
  1. religious, pious. Can be used pejoratively.
ciborium Tweet Definition of ciborium Like Definition of ciborium on Facebook
noun (ciboria)
  1. A fixed vaulted canopy over a Christian altar, supported on four columns
  2. A covered receptacle for holding the consecrated wafers of the Eucharist
cilice Tweet Definition of cilice Like Definition of cilice on Facebook
noun
  1. a hair shirt
  1. (mostly in Opus Dei) A leather strap studded with metallic barbs that cut into flesh as a constant reminder of Christ's suffering
circumcision Tweet Definition of circumcision Like Definition of circumcision on Facebook
noun
  1. The act of excising or amputating the foreskin or prepuce from the penis.
  2. The act of excising tissue from the vulva of the female.
Clarendon Tweet Definition of Clarendon Like Definition of Clarendon on Facebook
proper noun
  1. An earldom in the British peerage
  2. w:Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon
  3. A serif typeface