defrock
/diːˈfrɒk
/verb [with object]
1Deprive (a person in holy orders) of ecclesiastical status: he had left his diocese one step ahead of a move to defrock him (as adjective defrocked) a defrocked French Catholic priest...
- Because it is a state church, however, the Lutheran Church cannot defrock him.
- The Dallas resolution made it much easier to defrock a priest for molesting a child.
- An Irish Protestant priest who faced being defrocked for publicly stating he did not believe in the divinity of Christ last night announced his resignation.
1.1Deprive (someone) of professional status or membership of a prestigious group: (as adjective defrocked) a defrocked psychiatrist...
- These defrocked workers are retraining for free in the city sponsored center, where they learn computer skills and facial massage.
- In line with the law he was defrocked, and the commandments plaque was removed.
- If you've accepted such behavior in the past and expect to continue this friendship in the future, it's wrong to insist on defrocking your friend.
Origin
Early 17th century: from French défroquer, from dé- (expressing removal) + froc 'frock'.
frock from Late Middle English:
This comes from Old French froc, of Germanic origin. The original sense ‘priest's or monk's gown’ is preserved in defrock (late 16th century).