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papacy

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(pā′pə sē)

noun pl. papacies

1. the rank of pope; papal office
2. the term of office of one or more popes
3. the whole succession of popes
the governing of the Roman Catholic Church by the Roman pontiff, its head

Origin: ME papacie < ML(Ec) papatia < LL(Ec) papa, bishop, pope

See papacy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pa·pa·cies

The office and jurisdiction of a pope.
The period of time during which a pope is in office.
A succession or line of popes: the Medici papacy.
Papacy Roman Catholic Church The system of church government headed by the pope.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English papacie

Origin: , from Medieval Latin pāpātia

Origin: , from Late Latin pāpa, pope; see Pope

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