excommunication

Excommunication (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

IPA:

What does excommunication mean?

The formal expulsion or exclusion from membership or participation in a group, community, or association.
"The church threatened him with excommunication for his radical views."

Detailed Meaning of Excommunication

Excommunication is typically the formal expulsion or exclusion of a person from a religious community or organization. It is a severe form of disciplinary action that is typically used by religious groups or churches as a means of dealing with members who have committed a serious violation of the group's rules or teachings. Excommunication can also be used as a tool of political or social control, by excluding individuals or groups whose beliefs or actions are deemed unacceptable. The term comes from the Latin excommunicare, meaning "to exclude from the community."

Excommunication can be carried out in different ways, it can be a formal ceremony or it can be done through a written or verbal statement. Some religious organizations may also use excommunication as a tool to maintain discipline, to protect the reputation of the organization or to prevent the spread of certain ideas or practices. Excommunication can also be used as a form of punishment, in order to correct the behavior of the individual or to protect the community.

Excommunication can have severe consequences for the individual or group, such as the loss of social and spiritual support, and it can also have significant political and social implications.

Example Sentences for Excommunication

1. Excommunication was once a feared punishment in medieval times.
2. The controversial decision led to her excommunication from the council.
3. He faced excommunication after challenging the community's traditions.
4. The bishop announced the excommunication of two members yesterday.
5. Fear of excommunication kept many silent during the debates.
6. The sect practiced excommunication for any breach of their code.

Origin and Etymology of Excommunication

The noun 'excommunication' has its etymological origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'excommunicatio,' which is formed from 'ex,' meaning 'out of,' and 'communicatio,' meaning 'communication' or 'participation.' Therefore, 'excommunicatio' originally signified the act of being excluded or cut off from participation in the activities and privileges of a community or group. In religious contexts, 'excommunication' came to specifically represent the formal expulsion or exclusion of an individual from the membership and sacraments of a religious community as a severe disciplinary measure. The etymology of 'excommunication' emphasizes its historical association with the concept of being cast out or isolated from a group or community as a result of wrongdoing or heresy, underscoring the gravity and solemnity of the act.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the noun excommunication:

admission

expulsion

inclusion

acceptance

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More Usage Examples of Excommunication

1. Historical records show various reasons behind past excommunications.
2. Excommunication from the guild meant a loss of livelihood for artisans.
3. The artist faced excommunication for his avant-garde expressions.
4. The proclamation detailed the reasons for her excommunication.
5. Excommunication, in some societies, meant complete social ostracization.
6. The group considered excommunication as the last resort for disciplining members.
7. Facing excommunication, he chose to leave the village voluntarily.
8. Some viewed excommunication as an opportunity to start afresh.
9. Scholars often debated the implications and ethics of excommunication.
10. The elders convened a meeting to discuss the possible excommunication.
11. He appealed against his excommunication, seeking a second chance.
12. The fear of excommunication kept dissenters in check.
13. Excommunication played a pivotal role in religious power dynamics historically.
14. The community rarely invoked excommunication, valuing unity over all.
15. Some individuals wore their excommunication as a badge of honor.
16. The letter of excommunication detailed his transgressions and penalties.
17. She wrote a memoir detailing her life post-excommunication.
18. Excommunication, in its essence, severed ties both socially and spiritually.