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Defrock

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(pronounced dee-frok)  verb

Definition

1. to deprive (a priest or minister) of ecclesiastical status, authority, or functions. 2. to remove from a position of honor, distinction, or privilege; to strip someone of a prestigious membership or of the right to practice a profession.

Main Example

• Will the next presidential primary season, beginning in early 2016, see a brouhaha similar to that of two years ago when some states, eager to play a more significant role in the presidential election process, tried to move their primaries ahead of the one in New Hampshire, traditionally the nation’s first such contest? In 2012, determined to not be defrocked of its hallowed status, New Hampshire had to scramble and advanced its primary by several weeks to early January.

Workplace Examples

• In years past, our department was among the select few invited to the CEO’s biannual offsite strategy conference. Not so this year. I’m wondering if we’ve been “defrocked” or something...that our contributions are now being viewed by the powers that be as less vital.
• I’m not at all surprised that somebody finally defrocked Martin by taking away most of his authority. He was unnecessarily making people jump through hoops to get approvals on even minor office expenses.

Other Examples

• a colleague saying: “What a pity that Ted was made the scapegoat for the fiasco. Moira, who was promoted to vice president just last year, is really the one to blame, but I don’t think they’ll defrock her. She has powerful connections.”
• Gregg Steinhafel, the now defrocked CEO of Target, where a data breach of historic proportions occurred under his watch during the recent Thanksgiving holidays
• the Roman Catholic Church defrocking several priests for their sexual abuse of children
• a Los Angeles doctor being defrocked--i.e., stripped of his medical license--for improperly prescribing painkillers to actress Winona Ryder and some others belonging to the Hollywood glitterati

© 2014 V.J. Singal
No part of this may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.

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