Resembling, characteristic of, or excessively devoted to church life; often used to mean overly religious or pious in manner.
From 'church' plus the diminutive/adjectival suffix '-y' (from Old English '-ig'). The '-y' suffix transforms nouns into adjectives, as in 'rainy,' 'happy,' 'lucky,' and in this case carries a slightly mocking or critical tone.
Words ending in '-y' often develop a slightly humorous or pejorative edge—compare 'church' (neutral) with 'churchy' (suggesting excessive piety or artificiality), or 'rain' versus 'rainy' which sounds diminutive. The suffix subtly shifts attitudes.
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