cathedra
Americannoun
plural
cathedrae-
the seat or throne of a bishop in the principal church of a diocese.
-
an official chair, as of a professor in a university.
-
an ancient Roman chair used by women, having an inclined, curved back and curved legs flaring outward: the Roman copy of the Greek klismos.
noun
-
a bishop's throne
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the office or rank of a bishop
-
See ex cathedra
Etymology
Origin of cathedra
1625–35; < Latin < Greek kathédra, derivative of kathézomai to sit down; cata-, sit 1; chair
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Popes wield such power that they can speak ex cathedra — literally, from the papal throne — to make infallible pronouncements on morality that the faithful must obey.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025
The last time a pope issued an ex cathedra decree was in 1950, when Pius XII made the assumption of Mary into heaven an article of faith.
From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2021
It is a conviction descended, ex cathedra, from Robert Penn Warren, in his spare masterpiece, “Tell Me a Story.”
From The New Yorker • May 20, 2019
Which Catholics believe in the primacy of the Pope's teachings, when he is not speaking ex cathedra?
From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2018
Occasionally two churches jointly share the distinction of containing the bishop’s cathedra.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
