curia

[kyoo r-ee-uh]

noun, plural cu·ri·ae

[kyoo r-ee-ee] /ˈkyʊər iˌi/.

one of the political subdivisions of each of the three tribes of ancient Rome.
the building in which such a division or group met, as for worship or public deliberation.
the senate house in ancient Rome.

the senate of an ancient Italian town.
(sometimes initial capital letter) Curia Romana.
the papal court.
the administrative aides of a bishop.

Origin of curia

1590–1600; < Latin cūria, perhaps < *coviria, equivalent to co- co- + vir man + -ia -ia

Related formscu·ri·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for curia

Contemporary Examples of curia

“In the Curia there are holy people, truly holy people,” Francis reportedly told the Latin American delegation.
Vatican’s Pope-Protecting Swiss Guards Accused Of Secret Gay Lobby
Barbie Latza Nadeau
January 24, 2014
But he has only been in the job for six months, and his promise of reforming the Curia may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Pope Francis’s Rough Road to Reform
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 3, 2013
By the time the group officially meets, the pope will have likely already shaken up the Curia with new appointments for key roles.
Pope Francis’s Posse
Barbie Latza Nadeau
April 15, 2013
Then he suddenly summoned the Vatican Council II, whose reforms the Curia and recent popes have in effect sought to roll back.
The Catholic Church Is Insular and Intolerant
Robert Shrum
March 8, 2013
"The events of recent days involving the Curia and my collaborators have brought sadness to my heart," he said.
VatiLeaks Strikes Again: Was the Butler Framed?
Barbie Latza Nadeau
June 4, 2012

Historical Examples of curia

It was for her sake alone that he took no thought for the ivory seat in the curia.
A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], Complete
Georg Ebers
The Curia had become alarmed at the progress of the Reformation in Italy.
A History of the Reformation (Vol. 2 of 2)
Thomas M. Lindsay
Some imagine it to have been a Curia, others a Basilica, and others an Exchange.
Ruins of Ancient Cities (Vol. II of II)
Charles Bucke
It does not stand on the Comitium, or before the Curia, nor under the old shops.
Rambles in Rome
S. Russell Forbes
The curia received its only income from this district through their commerce.
History of the Jews, Vol. IV (of VI)
Heinrich Graetz

British Dictionary definitions for curia

curia

noun plural -riae (-rɪˌiː)

(sometimes capital) the papal court and government of the Roman Catholic Church
(in ancient Rome)
1. any of the ten subdivisions of the Latin, Sabine, or Etruscan tribes
2. a meeting place of such a subdivision
3. the senate house of Rome
4. the senate of an Italian town under Roman administration
(in the Middle Ages) a court held in the king's nameSee also Curia Regis

Derived Formscurial, adjective

Word Origin for curia

C16: from Latin, from Old Latin coviria (unattested), from co- + vir man

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 curia

c.1600, one of the ten divisions of each of the three ancient Roman tribes; also "the Senate-house of Rome," from Latin curia "court," perhaps from *co-wiria "community of men." Transferred to the Papal court (1840).