| papacy | 1. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome; papal jurisdiction. 2. The popes, collectively; the succession of popes. 3. The Roman Catholic religion; commonly used by the opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an opprobrious sense. Origin: LL. Papatia, fr. L. Papa a father, bishop. See Pope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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