churchinessn.
/ˈtʃəːtʃɪnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈtʃərtʃinᵻs/ The condition or quality of being ‘churchy’; compliance with or adherence to the Christian Church (in the 19th cent. esp. the Anglican Church) and its doctrine; piousness.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > religion > a religion or church > [noun] > condition
ecclesiasticalness1659
churchliness1851
ecclesiasticism1862
churchiness1863
1863 Bradford Observer 14 May 7/4 There is a close atmosphere of academical Churchiness, rather than genuine Church principle, in both universities.
1867 New Englander (New Haven, Connecticut) Oct. 644 His Episcopalian friend..delivers to the wretched man the gospel—with a stiff churchiness of manner, but the same good news.
1909 M. W. Stone Every Man his Chance vii. 38 He took on sanctity and radiated churchiness forthwith upon assuming the surplice.
1943 A. L. Rowse Cornish Childhood 132 Jack Loam, the scamp who lived up the court, took the opportunity to tease me unmercifully for my churchiness.
2009 T. Morgan Killing Cockroaches 22 Churchiness is easy. You just follow prescribed rules. Real faith is dynamic.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1863