papacy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the office, authority, or institution of the pope and the system by which the Roman Catholic Church is governed

   The cardinal's reputation for generosity helped him rise to the papacy.

2. 2
   noun

   the period during which a particular pope holds office

   The reforms began early in his papacy.

From Middle English papacie, through Old French and Medieval Latin papatia, based on Latin papa ('pope') with a suffix denoting office or rank. English -cy likewise forms nouns for a state or office.

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