decretal

[ dih-kreet-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

a papal decree authoritatively determining some point of doctrine or church law.
Decretals, the body or collection of such decrees as a part of the canon law.

decretal

/ dɪˈkriːtəl /

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēcrētālis fixed by decree, equivalent to dēcrēt ( um ) decree + -ālis -al ¹

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin dēcrētālis; see decree

She had doubtless been informed of the secret decretal by which the Pope appeared to have prejudged her cause.

The Pope said the decretal ought to have been burnt, and refused to discuss the matter further.

The fatal decretal was to be seen only by a very few persons, and then, as Henry said, Campeggio was to burn it.

The decretal could not be produced, but, with or without it, the King insisted that the court should sit.

Such sterilization of a woman is in contravention to the decretal of Gregory as given in the chapter on Vasectomy.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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