curia Hear it!

curia Definition

cu·ria (kyo̵orē ə)

noun pl. -·riae′-ē′

  1. in ancient Rome,
    1. any of the ten political subdivisions into which the Latin, Sabine, and Etruscan tribes were each divided
    2. its meeting place
    3. the senate house at Rome
  2. a medieval judicial council or court held in the king's name
  3. the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church, consisting of various departments, courts, officials, etc., functioning under the authority of the pope

Etymology: L (in ML, court) < OL *co-viria, assembly of men < co-, together + *viro-, man: see virile

curia Related Forms
cu·rial adjective
curia Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • papal: A spokesman for the Vatican said: " The papal curia held an emergency meeting last night.

Modifies a noun

  • brief: The amicus curiae brief filed by several pro-science organizations is also included.

Noun used with modifier

  • amicus: The amicus curiae brief filed by several pro-science organizations is also included.

Browse dictionary entries near curia

  1. curfew
  2. curettage
  3. curet
  4. cure-all
  5. cure
  6. curdy
  7. curdle
  8. curd
  9. curcuma
  10. curculio
  1. curie
  2. Curie point
  3. Curie's law
  4. curio
  5. curiosa
  6. curiosity
  7. curious
  8. Curitiba
  9. curium
  10. curl