nihil obstat

[ nahy-hil ob-stat, nee- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

permission to publish a book, granted by an official censor who, upon examining it, has certified that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals.

nihil obstat

/ ˈɒbstæt /

the phrase used by a Roman Catholic censor to declare publication inoffensive to faith or morals

1885–90; < Latin: literally, nothing stands in the way

Latin, literally: nothing hinders

Why in the world have I waited till the day your Libra gets its nihil obstat from Christopher Lemondrop* to send you a note.

Virtuti nihil obstat et armis—Nothing can withstand valour and arms.

I mean it depends on his permission; his imprimatur; his nihil obstat.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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