papacy

Noun
Synonyms: pontificate

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. the government of the Roman Catholic ChurchSynonyms: pontificate
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Papacy \Pa"pa*cy\, n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father, bishop. See Pope.]

1.The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction. [1913 Webster]

2.The popes, collectively; the succession of popes. [1913 Webster]

3.The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense. [1913 Webster]

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