Excommunicate

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkÉ™t/
• US IPA: /ˌɛkskəˈmjunÉ™kÉ™t/

• UK IPA: /ˌɛkskəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/
• US IPA: /ˌɛkskəˈmjunÉ™keɪt/

Origin

Late Latin excommunicātus, perfect passive participle of excommunicō ("put out of the community").

Full definition of excommunicate

Adjective

1. Excommunicated.
• 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, John IX:the iewes had conspyred allredy that yff eny man did confesse that he was Christ, he shulde be excommunicat out of the Sinagoge.
• ShakespeareThou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate.

Noun

1. A person so excluded.

Verb

1. (transitive) To officially exclude someone from membership of a church or religious community.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 17, “Perhaps it is because I have been excommunicated. It's absurd, but I feel like the Jackdaw of Rheims.” ¶ She winced and bowed her head. Each time that he spoke flippantly of the Church he caused her pain.
2. (transitive) To exclude from any other group; to banish.

Synonyms

• takfir

Related terms

• excommunication