high church

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Back-formation from High Churchman, originally denoting an opponent of religious toleration with high meaning “extreme”; see churchman (supporter of the established church). Compare High Tory.

Noun

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high church (uncountable)

  1. (Anglicanism) A tradition within the Anglican church with an elevated view of the priesthood, episcopacy, and sacraments, practising a formal style of liturgy and emphasising continuity with Catholicism.
    Hyponym: Anglo-Catholicism
    Coordinate terms: broad church, low church
  2. (by extension) Any similar Christian tradition.

Antonyms

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Adjective

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high church (comparative more high church, superlative most high church)

  1. Characteristic of or pertaining to such a tradition.