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Definition of papacy - 4 dictionary results

pa⋅pa⋅cy

  [pey-puh-see]
Use papacy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies. Roman Catholic Church.
1. the office, dignity, or jurisdiction of the pope.
2. the system of ecclesiastical government in which the pope is recognized as the supreme head.
3. the period during which a certain pope is in office.
4. the succession or line of the popes.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME papacie < ML pāpātia. See pope, -acy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pa·pa·cy   (pā'pə-sē)   
n.   pl. pa·pa·cies

  1. The office and jurisdiction of a pope.

  2. The period of time during which a pope is in office.

  3. A succession or line of popes: the Medici papacy.

  4. Papacy Roman Catholic Church The system of church government headed by the pope.


[Middle English papacie, from Medieval Latin pāpātia, from Late Latin pāpa, pope; see pope.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

papacy

The office or position of the pope.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

papacy 
1393, from M.L. papatia "papal office," from L.L. papa "pope" (see pope).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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