n.; pl. Temporalities [ L. temporalitas, in LL., possessions of the church: cf. F. temporalité. ] 1. The state or quality of being temporary; -- opposed to perpetuity. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The laity; temporality. [ Obs. ] Sir T. More. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. That which pertains to temporal welfare; material interests; especially, the revenue of an ecclesiastic proceeding from lands, tenements, or lay fees, tithes, and the like; -- chiefly used in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ] Supreme head, . . . under God, of the spirituality and temporality of the same church. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ] |