Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SEC'U-LAR, a. [Fr. seculaire; It. secolore; Sp. secular; L. secularis, from seculum, the world or an age.]

1. Pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to things not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly. The secular concerns of life respect making provision for the support of life, the preservation of health, the temporal prosperity of men, of states, &c. Secular power is that which superintends and governs the temporal affairs of men, the civil or political power; and is contradistinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical power.
2. Among catholics, not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious community. Thus we say, the secular clergy, and the regular clergy. – Temple.
3. Coming once in a century; as, a secular year. Secular games, in Rome, were games celebrated once in an age or century, which lasted three days and nights, with sacrifices, theatrical shows, combats, sports, &c. – Valerius Maximus. Secular music, any music or songs not adapted to sacred uses. Secular song or poem, a song or poem composed for the secular games, or sung or rehearsed at those games.