laico

lay

layperson

laico, el laico, la laica(lay-koh)

adjective

1. (nonreligious)

a. lay

Si bien el Estado es laico, la Iglesia ejerce una fuerte influencia.

Although the government is lay, the Church has a strong influence.

b. secular

En nuestro país, la educación es gratuita, laica y obligatoria.

Education in our country is free, secular, and compulsory.

masculine or feminine noun

2. (someone who is not a member of the clergy)

a. layperson

Esta misa fue compuesta por un laico.

This mass was composed by a layperson.

b. layman (masculine)

Juan no es un laico; de hecho, es cura.

Juan is not a layman; he's actually a curate.

c. laywoman (feminine)

Ana es laica, pero le interesa muchísimo la vida de las monjas.

Ana is a laywoman, but she is very interested in the nuns' way of life.