laity

[ ley-i-tee ]

/ ˈleɪ ɪ ti /

the body of religious worshipers, as distinguished from the clergy.

the people outside of a particular profession, as distinguished from those belonging to it: the medical ignorance of the laity.

Origin of laity

First recorded in 1535–45; lay³ + -ity

Many ex-members I spoke with felt like financial matters were off limits from the laity.

Another Mega Church Implodes |Warren Throckmorton |September 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Under such circumstances we need not wonder that the standards of the laity were low.

The Age of Erasmus |P. S. Allen
The laity seized the opportunity to rise against the clerical order, and to excuse themselves for disobedience to the Church.

Freaks of Fanaticism |Sabine Baring-Gould
The crown is an insignia of civil power borne by the laity; the nimbus is ecclesiastical and religious.

Fictitious & Symbolic Creatures in Art |John Vinycomb

The laity treat them with the greatest respect provided that they set an example of a life better than most men can live.

Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol I. (of 3) |Charles Eliot
With the ascendancy of the state over the Church the selection of bishops was practically transferred to the laity.

The Rise of the Mediaeval Church |Alexander Clarence Flick

laity

/ (ˈleɪɪtɪ) /

laymen, as distinguished from clergymen

all people not of a specific occupation

C16: from lay ³