First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1excommunicate
verb ex·com·mu·ni·cate \ˌek-skə-ˈmyü-nə-ˌkāt\
: to not allow (someone) to continue being a member of the Roman Catholic church
Full Definition of EXCOMMUNICATE
transitive verb
: to subject to excommunication
— ex·com·mu·ni·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun
See excommunicate defined for English-language learners
See excommunicate defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of EXCOMMUNICATE
Middle English, from Late Latin excommunicatus, past participle of excommunicare, from Latin ex- + Late Latin communicare to communicate
Rhymes with EXCOMMUNICATE
circumambulate, circumnavigate, contraindicate, decontaminate, deteriorate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, rehabilitate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate
2excommunicate
adjective ex·com·mu·ni·cate \-ni-kət\
Definition of EXCOMMUNICATE
: excluded from the rights of church membership : excommunicated
— excommunicate noun
First Known Use of EXCOMMUNICATE
1521
Learn More About EXCOMMUNICATE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: excommunicationPrevious Word in the Dictionary: excommunicableAll Words Near: excommunicate
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up excommunicate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).