among the Romanists, those pious, but illiterate persons, who devote themselves, in some convent, to the service of the religious. They wear a different habit from that of the religious, but never enter into the choir, nor are present at the chapters; nor do they make any other vow, except of constancy and obedience. In nunneries, there are also lay-sisters.

LAY-MAN, one who follows a secular employment, or has not entered into holy orders.