papacy
NounSynonyms:
pontificate
WordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- the government of the Roman Catholic ChurchSynonyms: pontificate
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]