among the Romanists, those pious but illiterate persons, who devote themselves in some convent to the service of the religious. They wear a different 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 the nunneries there are also lay-sisters.

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