camerlengo

[kam-er-leng-goh]

noun, plural cam·er·len·gos. Roman Catholic Church.

the cardinal appointed treasurer of the Holy See, who, upon the death of the pope, presides over the conclave that elects the new pope.

Origin of camerlengo

1615–25; < Italian camerlingo < Germanic; akin to Old High German chamarlinc chamberlain

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British Dictionary definitions for camerlengo

camerlengo

camerlingo (ˌkæməˈlɪŋɡəʊ)

noun plural -gos

RC Church a cardinal who acts as the pope's financial secretary and the papal treasurer

Word Origin for camerlengo

C17: from Italian camerlingo, of Germanic origin; compare chamberlain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for camerlengo

"papal chamberlain," from Italian camerlingo "chamberlain" (see chamberlain).