01 a. Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
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1.
Coming or observed once in an age or a century.“The secular year was kept but once a century.” — Addison.
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2.
Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period of time; accomplished in a long progress of time; as, secular inequality; the secular refrigeration of the globe.
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3.
Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests; not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly.“New foes arise, Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains.” — Milton.
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4.
Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community; as, a secular priest.(Eccl.)“He tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for morals, both in the religious orders and the secular clergy.” — Prescott.
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5.
Belonging to the laity; lay; not clerical.“I speak of folk in secular estate.” — Chaucer.
Phrases & compounds
Secular equation —
the algebraic or numerical expression of the magnitude of the inequalities in a planet's motion that remain after the inequalities of a short period have been allowed for.
Secular games —
games celebrated, at long but irregular intervals, for three days and nights, with sacrifices, theatrical shows, combats, sports, and the like.
Secular music —
any music or songs not adapted to sacred uses.
Secular hymn —
a hymn or poem composed for the secular games, or sung or rehearsed at those games.