caesaropapism

[ see-zuh-roh-pey-piz-uhm ]

noun
  1. the possession of supreme authority over church and state by one person, often by a secular ruler.

  2. the supremacy of the state over the church in ecclesiastical matters.

Origin of caesaropapism

1
First recorded in 1885–90; Caesar + -o- + papism

Other words from caesaropapism

  • cae·sa·ro·pap·ist, noun, adjective

Words Nearby caesaropapism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024