Diocesans

/daɪˈɒs.ə.sənz/ noun

Definition

Plural of diocesan; people who belong to or are members of a diocese, or priests serving a diocese.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin 'diocesanus' + English plural '-s,' formed as a noun from the adjective, documenting ecclesiastical communities from medieval times onward.

Kelly Says

In medieval and modern church records, you'll see 'diocesans' used for both the clergy and the laypeople of a diocese—it's one of those words where the grammatical category blurs, similar to how 'English' can mean the language or the people.

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