churchling

Noun

churchling (plural churchlings)

1. A church-goer.
   • Neither worldling nor churchling privately possesses his love. The churchling, in prayer and praise, is or ought to be alert to the divine summons as the worldling is not; in race relations and common justice it is sometimes the other way around.1956, David Wesley Soper, Epistle to the skeptics
2. (diminutive, sometimes) A mere churchman.
   • " [...] And," he added, "it transforms a churchling into a Christian to come into contact with the Pope."1903, The Independent
   • You do not tell me of those romantic land bays that be as thou goest to Lover's Seat: neither of that little churchling in the midst of a wood (in the opposite direction, nine furlongs from the town), that seems dropped by the Angel [...]1904, Charles Lamb, Alfred Ainger, The letters of Charles Lamb
3. (derogatory) A bigoted churchman.
   • 'I thought you were going to show us some swordcraft, churchling, not dance steps.' Arlin's tone was mocking. 'Sorry, I mistook you for a girl.'2012, Elspeth Cooper, Songs of the Earth