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.

Other Words From

• caesa·ro·papist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caesaropapism¹

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